History of Rome

History of Rome is a book by Livy, first published around 27 BCE. This monumental work chronicles the founding of Rome, its legendary heroes, the rise of the Republic, and its military and political struggles through centuries of expansion. Livy, writing during the reign of Augustus, sought not only to record Rome’s past but also to instill moral values through the deeds of its ancestors, emphasizing themes of duty, courage, and civic virtue. Drawing from earlier annals and oral tradition, his narrative blends historical fact with myth and patriotic interpretation, creating a sweeping and enduring portrait of Rome's destiny and identity. Though only a portion of the original work survives, History of Rome remains one of the most influential sources for understanding early Roman history and its lasting legacy in Western civilization. Books 1-8 were translated by Daniel Spillan (1853). Books 9-26 were translated by Daniel Spillan and Cyrus R. Edmonds (1868). Books 27-36 were translated by Cyrus R. Edmonds (1850). Books 37 to the end were translated by William Alexander McDevitte (1850).