Livy: The Fragments and Periochae Volume I: Fragments, Citations, Testimonia

Livy's 142-volume history of Rome is lost, known only from indirect sources. D. S. Levene's Livy: The Fragments and Periochae provides a text, translation, and commentary on all surviving para-Livian material from antiquity, including epitomes, fragments, citations, and testimonia to Livy's life, work, and readership. It offers a comprehensive synoptic study of the contexts in which Livy was read and quoted.

Format: Hardback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 12 October 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Livy's remarkable 142-volume history of Rome stands as a pinnacle of ancient historical writing, yet tragically, over three-quarters of that narrative remains lost, known only through indirect sources like epitomes and quotations. To address this gap, D. S. Levene has authored Livy: The Fragments and Periochae, a comprehensive text that presents a comprehensive exploration of all surviving para-Livian material from antiquity. This extensive collection encompasses a wide range of materials, including various epitomes and fragments (quotations from or references to the lost books), as well as citations from the surviving books and all testimonies to Livy's life, work, and readership between his death in A.D. 17 and the end of classical antiquity (approximately A.D. 650).

By compiling this vast array of material, Levene offers the most comprehensive account ever developed of Livy's reputation in antiquity and the diverse ways in which he was utilized and cherished by later writers. Through his meticulous research, Levene delves into an important yet understudied aspect of the intellectual life of the Roman world.

The first volume of this remarkable collection presents a meticulously reedited text of all references to Livy in ancient sources, accompanied by a comprehensive literary, textual, and historical commentary. The introduction provides a comprehensive synoptic study of the contexts in which Livy was read and quoted, shedding light on the diverse audiences and purposes for which his works were utilized.

Livy: The Fragments and Periochae is a groundbreaking work that not only fills a significant gap in historical knowledge but also enhances our understanding of the rich tapestry of ancient literature and intellectual discourse. It is a testament to the enduring legacy of Livy and his profound contribution to the field of historical writing.

Weight: 764g
Dimension: 165 x 241 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192871220