Livy's Ab Urbe Condita

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Martin Luther King Jr. once famously said, “We are not makers of history. We are made by history.” Thus, the course of an author to portray the history of his/her people not only calls upon the accuracy of historical events, but the themes themselves embedded in the history, which will largely determine the rising morals of a new generation. Knowing the power of the pen which he holds, Livy’s Ab Urbe Condita uses literary devices of juxtaposition, details, imagery, and divine reference to portray themes of honor, courage, and virtue, in his beloved account of Horatius Cocles, so that the future generations of Roman may instill these sentiments within themselves and continue on with the traditions of Rome. Livy begins his account of Horatius …show more content…

Specifically, by emphasizing the might of the Roman protections of walls and the Tiber River by these …show more content…

And yet, Horatius calls upon divine help to help him escape unharmed. Before examining this in more detail, it is also important to note that Horatius called upon divine help before when rebuking his fellow soldiers. Here Horatius implores the trust of the gods to aid him in his endeavors to defend the bridge. By having successfully done so, with the bridge having been destroyed, this small previous phrase to implore the gods to his aid conveys that the gods are on Horatius’s side and supported him and his actions by courageously defending the bridge. Again, Horatius implores divine aid by pleading for the god of the Tiber River to protect him as he plunges into the river. By directly addressing divine power, Livy connotes the worthiness of such a man with the integrity and courage he has shown by defending the bridge. It is also important to note that Livy uses an ablative absolute when addressing the father of the Tiber to convey that Horatius has done the action necessary to grant him divine aid and help from the gods. This divine support of his previous actions encourages all Roman citizens to view his actions as those exemplifying the virtues of the gods, and thus the need to emulate them. Moreover, by portraying Horatius’s safety back to Rome on behalf of the gods, Livy connotes the support

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