Discuss the background of the episode of Masinissa and Sophonisba, the role that Scipio played and the lesson Livy intends to convey. How does the tale typify Livy’s methodology? Cite at least one other example for comparison.

Livy is frequently described as a “moral historian,” and we have seen several examples of his moralism in the first half of the course.

Often Livy’s moral message involves women as paradigms of moral behavior or as threats to a man’s disciplina or both. The story of the Numidian Queen Sophonisba is typical of Livy’s methodology. Discuss the background of the episode of Masinissa and Sophonisba, the role that Scipio played and the lesson Livy intends to convey. How does the tale typify Livy’s methodology? Cite at least one other example for comparison.

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