A Three-Layer Analysis (TLA) of Livy, History of Rome, Book 3 1. Question Why does a reform body become a despotic institution when it loses the controls over its authority? This question is not only about why the Decemvirs lost control. The deeper question is this: Why did a temporary body created to change an … Read more
A Three-Layer Analysis (TLA) of Livy, History of Rome, Book 3 1. Question Why did written law not guarantee stable rule? This question is not only about why the Twelve Tables alone did not stabilize Rome. The deeper question is this: Even after written law was created as external control, or IC, why did the … Read more
A Three-Layer Analysis (TLA) of Livy, History of Rome, Book 3 1. Question Why did Rome need written law? This question is not only about why Rome needed laws. The deeper question is this: Why could the early Roman Republic no longer stabilize its rule only through custom, aristocratic discretion, self restraint of magistrates, and … Read more
A Three-Layer Analysis (TLA) of Livy, History of Rome, Book 3 1. Question Why did Rome almost lose its freedom through the Decemvirs, who were created to write down the law, and yet manage to repair itself? This question is not only about why the Decemvirs failed. The deeper question is this: Why did an … Read more
A Three-Layer Analysis (TLA) of Livy, History of Rome, Book 2 1. Question Why did the institutionalized rights of the plebeians become political vested rights that the ruling class could not easily take back? Livy’s History of Rome, Book II describes how the conflict between patricians and plebeians deepened in the early Roman Republic. The … Read more
A Three-Layer Analysis (TLA) of Livy, History of Rome, Book 2 1. Question Why was the Tribune of the Plebs needed as a device to connect plebeian discontent not to rebellion outside the state, but to institutional negotiation inside the state? Livy’s History of Rome, Book II describes how the conflict between patricians and plebeians … Read more
A Three-Layer Analysis (TLA) of Livy, History of Rome, Book 2 1. Question Why did the state publicly honor personal courage shown by Horatius Cocles, Mucius Scaevola, and Cloelia? Livy’s History of Rome, Book II describes how Rome expelled the kings, established the Republic, and fought against external enemies and royal restoration forces in order … Read more
A Three-Layer Analysis (TLA) of Livy, History of Rome, Book 2 1. Question Why does the public distribution of honor have the power to shape citizen behavior beyond monetary rewards? Livy’s History of Rome, Book II describes how Rome expelled the kings, established the Republic, and fought against external enemies and royal restoration forces in … Read more
A Three-Layer Analysis (TLA) of Livy, History of Rome, Book 2 1. Question Why did Rome reward a slave who broke private loyalty, reported treason to the state, and then received freedom and citizenship? Livy’s History of Rome, Book II describes a conspiracy soon after the expulsion of the kings. The former royal family of … Read more
A Three-Layer Analysis (TLA) of Livy, History of Rome, Book 2 1. Question Why did Brutus have to punish treason even when the traitors were his own sons? Livy’s History of Rome, Book II describes the process by which Rome expelled the kings and established the Republic. However, the Republic did not become stable simply … Read more
