5. The Purpose of his History. The first ten books of Livy were being written about the same time as the _Aeneid_; both Vergil and Livy had the same patriotic purpose, ‘to celebrate the growth, in accordance with a divine dispensation, of the Roman Empire and Roman civilisation.’ --Nettleship. Livy, however, brought into greater prominence the moral causes which contributed to the growth of the Empire. In his preface to Book I, § 9, he asks his readers to consider _what have been the life and habits of the Romans, by aid of what men and by what talents at home and in the field their Empire has been gained and extended_. Only by virtue and manliness, justice and piety, was the dominion of the world achieved. ‘In ancient Rome he sees his ideal realised, and _romanus_ hence signifies in his language all that is noble. He thus involuntarily appears partial to Rome, and unjust to her enemies, notably to the Samnites and Hannibal.’ --Teuffel. ‘As the title of _Gesta Populi Romani_ was given to the _Aeneid_ on its appearance, so the _Historiae ab Urbe Condita_ might be called, with no less truth, a funeral eulogy--_consummatio totius vitae et quasi funebris laudatio_ (Sen. _Suas._ VI. 21)--delivered, by the most loving and most eloquent of her sons, over the grave of the great Republic.’ --Mackail. M. ANNAEUS LUCANUS, 39-65 A.D. 1. Life. [Sidenote: LUCAN.] +Important Events in the Life of Lucan.+ A.D. 39. Born at Corduba (_Cordova_) on the R. Baetis (_Guadalquivir_). „ 40. His father migrates with his family to Rome. „ 54-68. Nero Emperor. „ 55. Lucan under Cornutus, the tutor also of Persius. „ 57-9. At the University of Athens. „ 60. Wins the favour of Nero, who begins to hate Seneca. „ 61. Lucan quaestor: famous as a reciter and pleader. „ 62. Disgrace of Seneca. +Pharsalia I.-III.+ published. Death of Persius. „ 63. Marries Polla Argentaria, a marriage of affection. „ 64. Nero, from jealousy, forbids Lucan to publish poems or to recite them. „ 65. Pisonian conspiracy discovered. Lucan compelled to die.