Titus Livius is counted among the most famous historians of Latin literature, especially thanks to the 21st and 22nd books of the Roman History, where he describes the early years of the Second Punic War, when Rome was in danger of being destroyed.

The symbolic value he attributes to historical events, the vividness and density of his description, the emotion that permeates the narrative, especially in critical moments, are some of his gifts. He is aware that the events he narrates are among the most tragic in Roman history. However, he allows traces of future triumphs to emerge, even amid crises.

The need for a continuous dialogue of modern thinkers with the work of Titus Livius was constant, as he offered them the necessary examples from ancient Rome, those that corresponded to their own political or moral quests. Livy's work, like that of other ancient historians, was connected with reflection on the state and on the role of History for the citizen and politics.

As Machiavelli wrote, "Men are deceived in general judgments, but not deceived in details." And historian P. Boucheron commented: "How can one still be a democrat? By allowing the people to approach the reality of power, so as to see things up close and no longer be deceived by general ideas."