History Livy Summary
Michael Parsley
“After saluting him they bade him to put on his toga and listen to the commands of the Senate. He was greatly astonished and – asking repeatedly “if everything was safe?” - called to his wife Racilia, “to bring his toga from the hut.” When he had put it on, and wiped off some of his sweat and dust, he presented himself; and the envoys at once congratulated him and saluted him as dictator;”
An analysis of Livy’s text “History” book III, chapters 26-29, reveals and exalts the greatest virtue of a Roman whether a citizen, general, or politician; that is nobility, the humility, simplicity, and loyalty of such this quality. During the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire men would rise to seats of power and thrones of rule becoming great in time and through history. Although based on the accounts of written ancient text, in the words of Roman and Greek historians, philosophers, and writers; many great men would become victims to the idea and quest of absolute power and supreme prestige and lose sight of duty and nobility. Composed in the chapters mentioned is Livy’s account of Cincinnatus; his rise to dictatorship, his victory in war against the Aequians, and his willingness to step down as dictator after time served. Cincinnatus was a Roman citizen whom devoted his life to civic service for the greater good of the Roman …show more content…
The two run together and Livy is using the character of Cincinnatus to provide to modern times an example- a model- to behave like. This is a portrait with a contemporary relevance- Livy is speaking directly to the Augustan senators of Rome- Cincinnatus's words for Minucius are meant to come down the century as an injunction to senators who lived hundreds of years later, and to make them reflect on the moral decline that has slain the Republic and left an Empire in its place.”
“After saluting him they bade him to put on his toga and listen to the commands of the Senate. He was greatly astonished and – asking repeatedly “if everything was safe?” - called to his wife Racilia, “to bring his toga from the hut.” When he had put it on, and wiped off some of his sweat and dust, he presented himself; and the envoys at once congratulated him and saluted him as dictator;”
An analysis of Livy’s text “History” book III, chapters 26-29, reveals and exalts the greatest virtue of a Roman whether a citizen, general, or politician; that is nobility, the humility, simplicity, and loyalty of such this quality. During the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire men would rise to seats of power and thrones of rule becoming great in time and through history. Although based on the accounts of written ancient text, in the words of Roman and Greek historians, philosophers, and writers; many great men would become victims to the idea and quest of absolute power and supreme prestige and lose sight of duty and nobility. Composed in the chapters mentioned is Livy’s account of Cincinnatus; his rise to dictatorship, his victory in war against the Aequians, and his willingness to step down as dictator after time served. Cincinnatus was a Roman citizen whom devoted his life to civic service for the greater good of the Roman …show more content…
The two run together and Livy is using the character of Cincinnatus to provide to modern times an example- a model- to behave like. This is a portrait with a contemporary relevance- Livy is speaking directly to the Augustan senators of Rome- Cincinnatus's words for Minucius are meant to come down the century as an injunction to senators who lived hundreds of years later, and to make them reflect on the moral decline that has slain the Republic and left an Empire in its place.”