LH1: Lesson - Livy's Ab Urbe Condita in Translation

Livy's Ab Urbe Condita in Translation

Livy's Ab Urbe Condita is usually called The History of Rome in translation. The phrase ab urbe condita literally means from the foundation of the city, where the city is Rome. This phrase was used by Romans to say what year it was by using it as an abbreviation: 500 AUC = 500 years after the founding of Rome. Livy used this well known phrase to indicate to readers that he would be telling the full history of Rome from its founding.

Downloads

Please download the Livy - Selections from The History of Rome Links to an external site. handout. You will be reading selections from Book 1 and 2. These sections are set during the earliest days of Rome being a city (in fact, the history begins prior to the foundation of Rome!) and are meant to be a serious (factual) history of the period. Use the English Reading Handout Links to an external site. to take notes on what you have read.

Please note that this English translation of Livy is in the public domain, so was written some time ago. Because of this, it may present some difficulties, in terms of style and presentation. Be sure to contact your instructor for any additional help with the content.

If you would like to read more from Ab Urbe Condita, please download Livy's Complete History of Rome Links to an external site.. 

Additionally, you may listen to the Audiobook version of these selections from The History of Rome, though at a minimum, please follow along with the text so you can become familiar with the names and places mentioned in the history. The audio files come from an open source called Libri Vox.

Livy's History of Rome - Audio Book Files

Preface, Book 1: I-III

Book 1: IV-XVI

Book 2: I-VII

Book 2: VIII-XV

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