Livy, History of Rome, Book 1
Humanities 220:03
Professor C. A. Easton F-99
This approach to Livy's History of Rome, Book 1 asks you to think about the stories Livy conveys as narratives with mythical rather than factual significance. By constructing this mythical history, composed of traditional stories about the founding of Rome and the Age of Kings, Livy (in the first century BCE) demonstrates how the Roman people have expressed their cultural values across time.

As you review Livy's History,keep note of how he sees the Age of Kings in light of the subsequent Republic. The Age of Kings is crowned finally with tyranny; the Republic represents freedom from tyranny. (Kings' names are printed in bold.)

In each section that follows, review the topic with your group, preparing to report to the class: 1) the details of the story; and 2) your interpretation of what values are represented by the story. Note that ALL GROUPS must also examine the last story listed.
 
  • Explain the ancestry, conception, birth, and childhood of Romulus and Remus (37-38).
    		•  Anderson Aaron Henry

    Becker Valerie

    Bentley Brooke Saunders
  • How does the competition between Romulus and Remus lead to the founding of Rome? What kind of Roman social organization does Romulus construct? (40-43)
    		•  Bielicki Lynda Regina

    Breidenstein Beth Anne

    Buffan Matthew James (Matt)

     
  • How does Romulus increase Rome's population? How is the war with the Sabines settled? (43-48)
    		•  Burto Kilee Marie

    Cash Colleen Ann

    Castiglia Allison Marie

    Catalano Jessica Rose
  • What stories are told about Romulus' death? What is gained by the election of the next king, Numa? (51-53) Numa organizes and regulates Roman life. How does he do this? (54-55)
    		•  Coffey Tamara Jean

    Congdon Erin Elizabeth

    Conklin Erin Marie

    Davenport Jennifer Karen (Jenny)
  • War returns under Tullus. How are Rome and Alba represented by the triplets, the Horatii and the Curiatii? (58-61) The surviving Horatius kills his sister, and he is tried for murder. What is the significance of this? (61-63)
    		•  Frokedal Katie Elizabeth

    Galati Brian Paul

    Grabowski Sarah Elizabeth

     
  • Tullus preserves Roman morale in the face of Mettius' cowardice. What does his punishment of Mettius suggest? (64-65)
    		•  Hopkins Janice Leah

    Hoselton Kerri Lynn

    Hromalik Christopher David

     
  • Lucumo (later, Tarquin) and Tanaquil immigrate to Rome. What is the significance of the sign Lucumo receives before entering the service of King Ancus? Why does he send Ancus' sons on a hunting trip? (72-75). 

    •  

    		 Hughes Jessica Anne

    Jablonski Andrew Joseph (Andy)

    Laurich Elena Marie
  • What is the meaning of the incident when little Servius' head bursts into flames? (77) What do Ancus' sons do to Tarquin after they grow up?(78-79)
    		•  Lawlor Emily Margaret

    Palluconi Maddalena (Lena)

    Pisano Tara Lynne

     
  • How does Servius organize Rome after he becomes king? (80-81) Why is he pleased by the tricky sacrifice of the heifer? (84)
    		•  Reynolds Sean P

    Roicki Joseph

    Scudder Amy Leigh

     
  • How clever was Servius to marry his daughters (Tullia the elder and younger) to the sons of Tarquin, Lucius and Arruns? (84-85). How do Lucius (later Tarquin the Proud) and Tullia the younger remove Servius from office? (85-88).

    •  

    		 Seeger Jessica Kristin

    Seifried Barbara Lynn (Barb)

    Stirling Jeff Brandon

     
  • What is Tarquin the Proud's strategy for gaining Gabii? (92-93) What is his interesting horticultural approach to poppies? (94)

    •  

    		 Tamparo Lauren

    Tripi Laura Margaretha

    Wallace John Lawrence
  • What Roman values are conveyed by the story of the Rape of Lucretia? (96-101)

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    		 EVERYONE THINK ABOUT THIS PASSAGE.