Livy's History of Rome
For the first time in accessible, 21st century English with fresh, vivid titles, Titus Livius' legendary account of Rome's founding comes to life, delivering a powerful message to modern audiences. Written during the fall of the Roman Republic, Livy's works were a hit with the ancient Romans, catapulting him to celebrity status as a thought leader. His writings have remained in constant demand since their original release over two millennia ago. Livy called his stories "shining memorials" for future people to understand and use. "Take for yourself and your own republic what you'd like to imitate, what you'd like to avoid, and whether these things started or ended dishonorably," he wrote, noting that no civilization, not even Rome, was immune. "We can't tolerate the vices we have, but we also won't tolerate the remedies that would cure us." Later thinkers like Niccolò Machiavelli were inspired by Livy, noting how readers may see, big picture, the impact of both good and bad decisions across many generations of Romans. These broad cycles of power, when studied, allow us to anticipate the future. As noted in a popular Latin expression, history is the teacher of life. These five books contain timeless wisdom that has fueled two thousand years of new leaders. It has outlasted governments, cultures, and entire civilizations. What will you do with it?