The idea of deceit in Epitome de Tito Livio by Florus

Abstract

The article outlines the variety of trickery vocabulary in Epitome de Tito Livio, written by Lucius Annaeus Florus in the 2nd century A.D. Among the Latin nouns that are equivalents of Greek trickery terms, it is necessary to mention especially dolus, fraus, consilium, ars, furtum and sollertia. Their use demonstrates Florus’ skillfulness and ability to show the arcana of ancient history, tradition and culture in an interesting way. In his texts, based on dichotomies – e.g. between virtus and fortuna as well as between just and unjust wars – there are numerous passages in which it is possible to find examples of trickery vocabulary. He established that both the Romans and aliens were ready to make ultimate sacrifices in order to defeat their enemies. They used weather conditions, surprise, military position and their own ingeniousness to achieve victory.