Livy: The Fragments and Periochae Volume II: Periochae 1-45

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 the fullest account of Livy's reputation in antiquity and how he was used and read by later writers. The second volume contains the first part of the Periochae, the fullest surviving epitome of Livy's history, with a new scholarly apparatus and extensive introduction.

Format: Hardback
Length: 816 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 offers a comprehensive exploration of all surviving para-Livian material from antiquity. This extensive collection encompasses various epitomes and fragments, which are 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 wealth of material, Levene provides the most comprehensive account ever developed of Livy's reputation in antiquity and the ways in which he was utilized and cherished by later writers. Through his meticulous research, Levene delves into an important yet under-studied aspect of the intellectual life of the Roman world.

The second volume of this remarkable work contains the first part of the Periochae, the fullest surviving epitome of Livy's history. The text has undergone a fresh translation and meticulous re-editing, accompanied by a comprehensive scholarly apparatus. Additionally, a rich literary, textual, and historical commentary complements the volume, offering insights into the text's nature and the historical circumstances surrounding its composition.

The extensive introduction to the book provides a thorough examination of the Periochae as a literary text, presenting new evidence that sheds light on its composition and the context in which it was written. This comprehensive study enhances our understanding of this pivotal.

In summary, Livy: The Fragments and Periochae by D. S. Levene is a groundbreaking work that fills a significant gap in ancient historical literature. Through its comprehensive exploration of surviving para-Livian material, it offers a rich and detailed account of Livy's history, reputation, and intellectual significance. The meticulous translation, scholarly apparatus, and comprehensive commentary make this volume an invaluable resource for scholars and enthusiasts alike, shedding light on the rich tapestry of ancient Rome and its historical legacy.

Weight: 1388g
Dimension: 166 x 243 x 53 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192871237