Rome, Magna Graecia, and Sicily in Livy from 326 to 200bc

What is it about?

Livy’s account of Rome’s dealings with Magna Graecia and Sicily is refracted through the opposition of many of the Greek cities of the west to Rome, and also betrays considerable ambivalence towards these communities. This chapter reviews Livy’s approach to the Greeks of Italy and Sicily, how he represents them, and his views on their political and social behaviour, particularly in the period of the Roman conquest of Italy, and that of the Punic wars. It examines how these fit into Livy’s overall project, and how they affect the value of his work as historical evidence for these regions.

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