The History of Rome, Books I to VIII | Page 2

always
supposing that they will either adduce something more authentic in the
facts, or, that they will excel the less polished ancients in their style of
writing. Be that as it may, it will, at all events, be a satisfaction to me,
that I too have contributed my share[3] to perpetuate the achievements
of a people, the lords of the world; and if, amidst so great a number of
historians,[4] my reputation should remain in obscurity, I may console
myself with the celebrity and lustre of those who shall stand in the way
of my fame. Moreover, the subject is both of immense labour, as being
one which must be traced back for more than seven hundred years, and
which, having set out from small beginnings, has increased to such a
degree that it is now distressed by its own magnitude. And, to most
readers, I doubt not but that the first origin and the events immediately
succeeding, will afford but little pleasure, while they will be hastening
to these later times,[5] in which the strength of this overgrown people
has for a long period been working its own destruction. I, on the
contrary, shall seek this, as a reward of my labour, viz. to withdraw
myself from the view of the calamities, which our age has witnessed for

so many years, so long as I am reviewing with my whole attention
these ancient times, being free from every care[6] that may distract a
writer's mind, though it cannot warp it from the truth. The traditions
which have come down to us of what happened before the building of
the city, or before its building was contemplated, as being suitable
rather to the fictions of poetry than to the genuine records of history, I
have no intention either to affirm or refute. This indulgence is conceded
to antiquity, that by blending things human with divine, it may make
the origin of cities appear more venerable: and if any people might be
allowed to consecrate their origin, and to ascribe it to the gods as its
authors, such is the renown of the Roman people in war, that when they
represent Mars, in particular, as their own parent and that of their
founder, the nations of the world may submit to this as patiently as they
submit to their sovereignty.--But in whatever way these and such like
matters shall be attended to, or judged of, I shall not deem of great
importance. I would have every man apply his mind seriously to
consider these points, viz. what their life and what their manners were;
through what men and by what measures, both in peace and in war,
their empire was acquired[7] and extended; then, as discipline
gradually declined, let him follow in his thoughts their morals, at first
as slightly giving way, anon how they sunk more and more, then began
to fall headlong, until he reaches the present times, when we can
neither endure our vices, nor their remedies. This it is which is
particularly salutary and profitable in the study of history, that you
behold instances of every variety of conduct displayed on a
conspicuous monument; that from thence you may select for yourself
and for your country that which you may imitate; thence note what is
shameful in the undertaking, and shameful in the result, which you may
avoid. But either a fond partiality for the task I have undertaken
deceives me, or there never was any state either greater, or more moral,
or richer in good examples, nor one into which luxury and avarice
made their entrance so late, and where poverty and frugality were so
much and so long honoured; so that the less wealth there was, the less
desire was there. Of late, riches have introduced avarice, and excessive
pleasures a longing for them, amidst luxury and a passion for ruining
ourselves and destroying every thing else. But let complaints, which
will not be agreeable even then, when perhaps they will be also

necessary, be kept aloof at least from the first stage of commencing so
great a work. We should rather, if it was usual with us (historians) as it
is with poets, begin with good omens, vows and prayers to the gods and
goddesses to vouchsafe good success to our efforts in so arduous an
undertaking.
[Footnote 1: "Employ myself to a useful purpose,"--facere operæ
pretium, "to do a thing that is worth the trouble,"--"to employ oneself to
a good purpose."--See Scheller's Lat. Lexicon.]
[Footnote 2: "A practice,"--rem.--Some, as Baker, refer it to res populi
R. Others, as Stroth, to res pop. Rom. perscribere.]
[Footnote 3: "My share,"--pro virili parte, or, "to the best of my
ability."]
[Footnote 4: "Historians."--Those mentioned by Livy himself are Q.
Fabius Pictor, Valerius Antias, L. Piso, Q. Ælius Tubero,