Curiosities & wonders > Titus Livius' Roman history

TITUS LIVIUS’
ROMAN HISTORY,
FROM
THE BUILDING OF THE CITY.
BOOK I.
CONTAINING THE HISTORY OF THE REGAL
GOVERNMENT OF ROME.
INTRODUCTION.
In writing the history of the Roman people, from the
tery foundation of the city, whether I may offer to
the public a work of merit, is a question I cannot
well resolve ; nor if I could, would I venture to do it,
sensible as I am, that it is a trite and common thing,
for every new author to imagine to himself, that he
will state facts with a greater air of authenticity than
his predecessors; or by the colourings of his style, throw
a new light upon the shades of more ancient productions.
Whatever may be in that, to me the reflection will be^
however, agreeable, that I too have contributed my part,
to perpetuate the memory of the atchievements of a
people who have become lords of the universe : And
should I, in such a groupe of writers, appears less con¬
spicuous, I shall still find some consolation in the lustre
of those characters, who are superior to me in the annals
of fame. Moreover, to write the history of so great a