Livy was a strong patriot, and wrote about the history of Rome from 753-9 B.C. Much of his work has been lost, but we know enough about him to know that he often stretched the truth in order to make sure that Rome came out looking superior. He wrote a series of books about Rome's history depicting Rome itself as the heroine of the story, whose actions he is describing.

The poet Horace, whose father was a freed slave, lived from 65-8 B.C. Horace grew up under the Republic and he wrote that human greed had caused the conflicts in Rome. Horace criticized the wealthy class for their luxuries. He felt that it would be better to live in moderation. The children's story, "The City Mouse and the Country Mouse," is based on a tale by Horace called "Two Roman Mice." Horace had simple tastes, and often wrote about mundane things, such as food that had been made with too much garlic. He also wrote verse praising the virtues of the empire under Caesar Augustus.