Author Introduction: Livy

Hello, My name is Titus Livius but you can call me Livy. I am a famous Roman historian who was born in Patavium, Italy. I was either born in 64 or 59 B.C. There is some confusion as to the year I was born. In the wealthy city of Patavium where I was born and raised, there were civil wars in my teenagers years and I got to experience this history firsthand. These civil wars prevented me from receiving a higher education which is evident in my works and grammar. Someetime in the 30s, I went to Rome and this became my new home. During this time, I started my work as a writer and historian. In Rome, I never held a political profession which was uncommon for historians at the time. Although I did not hold a political position, my works led to Emperor Augustus seeking interest in me and my work. His interest in my work led to me supervising his son, Claudius, who was the future emperor of Rome at the time. During my career, I was educate in philosophy ad rhetoric which I showed through my writings and recitations to small audiences. My most popular work was "History of Rome" which was a complete history of the Roman empire from the beginning foundation to the death of Augustus. This complete history that I wrote consisted of 142 books. There are many comments about my work specifically questioning it since I wrote about history long before my time. As well as, critics question if I was biased in my work since I mostly emphasized the victories of Rome and since I was writing under and friends with emperor Augustus. My work of "History of Rome" was very popular at my time. I was married and had two kids, but much of my personal life I did not document so very few know. I died in 17 A.D. in Patavium. 

Below are three of my most famous and favorite sayings:

“The study of history is the best medicine for a sick mind; for in history you have a record of the infinite variety of human experience plainly set out for all to see: and in that record you can find for yourself and your country both examples and warnings: fine things to take as models, base things, rotten through and through, to avoid.” 

“We fear things in proportion to our ignorance of them.” 

“Things turn out best for the people who make the best out of the way things turn out.” 

"We can endure neither our vices nor their cure."

"It is pleasant, when the sea is high and the winds are dashing the waves about, to watch from the shores the struggles of another."