Books VI-X of Livy's monumental work trace Rome's fortunes from its near collapse after defeat by the Gauls in 386 bc to its emergence, in a matter of decades, as the premier power in Italy, having conquered the city-state of Samnium in 293 bc. In this fascinating history, events are described not simply in terms of partisan politics, but through colorful portraits that bring the strengths, weaknesses and motives of leading figures such as the noble statesman Camillus and the corrupt Manlius vividly to life. While Rome's greatest chronicler intended his history to be a memorial to former glory, he also had more didactic aims - hoping that readers of his account could learn from the past ills and virtues of the city.李维的这部巨著的第六至第十卷追溯了罗马的命运，从公元前386年被高卢人打败后几乎崩溃，到公元前293年征服萨米尼亚城邦后，在短短几十年内成为意大利的主要大国。在这段引人入胜的历史中，对事件的描述不是简单的党派政治，而是通过丰富多彩的人物描写，将高贵的政治家卡米卢和腐败的曼利乌斯等主要人物的长处、弱点和动机生动地展现出来。虽然罗马最伟大的编年史家打算把他的历史作为对昔日荣耀的纪念，但他也有更多的说教目的--希望他的叙述的读者能够从这个城市过去的弊端和美德中吸取教训。