Origins & Early Life

Titus Livius (Latin: [ˈtɪtʊs ˈliːwiʊs]; 59 BC – AD 17), known in English as Livy ( LIV-ee), was a Roman historian. He wrote a monumental history of Rome and the Roman people, titled Ab Urbe Condita, ''From the Founding of the City'', covering the period from the earliest legends of Rome before the traditional founding in 753 BC through the reign of Augustus in Livy's own lifetime. He was on good terms with members of the Julio-Claudian dynasty and was a friend of Augustus. Livy encouraged Augustus's young grandnephew, the future emperor Claudius, to take up the writing of history.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Livy was born in Patavium in northern Italy, now modern Padua, probably in 59 BC. At the time of his birth, his home city of Patavium was the second wealthiest on the Italian peninsula, and the largest in the province of Cisalpine Gaul (northern Italy). Cisalpine Gaul was merged into Italy proper during his lifetime and its inhabitants were given Roman citizenship by Julius Caesar. In his works, Livy often expressed his deep affection and pride for Patavium, and the city was well known for its conservative values in morality and politics. Livy's teenage years were during the 40s BC, a period of...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Augustus — Contemporary figure (Born in -63) (-63): Founder of the Roman Empire and the first Roman Emperor, ushering in the Pax Romana.
• Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa — Contemporary figure (Born in -63) (-63): Renowned Roman general and statesman, celebrated for military victories and construction.
• Lucretius — Contemporary figure (Died in -55) (-55): Epicurean Roman poet whose work, De rerum natura, explored atomic philosophy.
• Tigranes the Great — Contemporary figure (Died in -55) (-55): Great King of Armenia whose empire rivaled the Roman Republic.
• Ariovistus — Contemporary figure (Died in -54) (-54): A prominent Germanic leader of the 1st century BC, known through Caesar's writings.
• Catullus — Contemporary figure (Died in -54) (-54): Master poet of the late Roman Republic, known for personal and neoteric themes.
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