Source edition
Appianus. Appiani Historia romana, Volume 1. Mendelssohn, Ludwig, editor. Leipzig: Teubner, 1879.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA (per Perseus's terms)
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This work is a collection of historical fragments detailing the early history of Rome, from its legendary origins to the end of the regal period. The narrative begins with the background of Rome's founding, tracing the Trojan hero Aeneas's arrival in Italy, the establishment of Lavinium, and the birth of Romulus and Remus. Following the foundation of the city, it chronicles the reigns and fates of the seven kings of Rome. Throughout the text, key events of early Roman history are highlighted, including the reconciliation with the Sabines, the famous legends of Tarpeia and Horatius Cocles, and the migration of Claudius to Rome. By illustrating these foundational myths, institutional developments, and heroic struggles, the work vividly depicts how the moral and political foundations of the future empire were established.