Lucius Livius Andronicus, (born c. 284 bc, Tarentum, Magna Graecia [now Taranto, Italy]—died c. 204 bc, Rome?), founder of Roman epic poetry and drama. He was a Greek slave, freed by a member of the Livian family; he may have been captured as a boy when Tarentum surrendered to Rome in 272 bc.

What is Livius Andronicus known for?

Lucius Livius Andronicus (/ˈlɪviəs/; Greek: Λούκιος Λίβιος Ανδρόνικος; c. 284 – c. 205 BC) was a Greco-Roman dramatist and epic poet of the Old Latin period. … He wrote works for the stage—both tragedies and comedies—which are regarded as the first dramatic works written in the Latin language of ancient Rome.

Who is Livy why is he important in Roman history?

Livy began by composing and publishing in units of five books, the length of which was determined by the size of the ancient papyrus roll. As his material became more complex, however, he abandoned this symmetrical pattern and wrote 142 books.