A Three-Layer Analysis (TLA) of Livy, History of Rome, Book 3 1. Question Why was Rome described as suffering from a disease that could not be treated by ordinary remedies? This expression is not a simple metaphor. At this time, Rome faced several problems at the same time. The patricians and the plebeians were in … Read more
A Three-Layer Analysis (TLA) of Livy, History of Rome, Book 3 1. Question How did the plebeians view the appointment of Quinctius as dictator? The dictator was an emergency authority in the Roman Republic. When Rome faced an external enemy or a military emergency, the normal republican operating system could be too slow. In such … Read more
A Three-Layer Analysis (TLA) of Livy, History of Rome, Book 3 1. Question Why did people obey Cincinnatus when he was appointed dictator? The dictator was an emergency authority in the Roman Republic. Under the normal republican operating system, several institutions limited and balanced power. These included the consuls, the Senate, the tribunes, the assemblies, … Read more
A Three-Layer Analysis (TLA) of Livy, History of Rome, Book 3 1. Research Question Why was emergency power necessary in a national crisis, even though it could threaten liberty? This question examines emergency authority in Livy’s History of Rome from its Foundation, Book 3. It focuses on the dictator, emergency control based on an oath, … Read more
