"I hope my passion for Rome's past has not impaired my judgement; for I do honestly believe that no country has ever been greater or purer than ours or richer in good citizens or noble deeds." In Livy's epic history of Rome he unashamedly praised his country's virtues and urged against its excesses, in order to keep it great. He dedicated most of his life to writing some 142 volumes of history, the first five of which comprise The Early History of Rome. A wonderful read.