LIVY THE CRITICAL HISTORIAN

This essay discusses only die first decade of Livy, because Wiehemeyer has already dealt with books 21-45. In more than one hundred places in this decade, Livy notes divergences in his sources - or raises questions himself- over matters not only of detail, but also of the highest importance. He solved most of these problems, by exercising scepticism, reducing his account to essentials, and relying on the earliest sources. He frequently went beyond his sources, but was fully aware of the pitfalls he faced. In the most controversial cases, moreover, he often showed his independence.