Polemic in Livy

ABSTRACT:Livy is not generally described as a polemicist, and the annalistic tradition tends to be described in terms of continuity rather than innovation. This paper aims to show, however, that there is significant polemic in Livy, including ad hominem polemic. Even if the latter falls short of Hellenistic levels, it is worth making the point that Livy wrote a highly competitive narrative, so that the degree to which he deliberately took on and surpassed rival authorities has probably been underestimated. Despite his obvious respect for some basic traditions and interpretations, he was indeed trying to surge past his rivals in innovative ways that would leave him as the pre-eminent authority. Polemic was one of the competitive strategies employed for this purpose.