Who were the Roman historians, and what were their contributions to the understanding of ancient culture?

When it comes to understanding ancient Roman culture, the work of Roman historians is of immense value. These historians wrote about Rome's political, social, and cultural events, providing valuable insight into the ancient world.

One of the most famous Roman historians was Livy (Titus Livius), who lived during the 1st century BCE. His monumental work 'Ab Urbe Condita' (From the Founding of the City) covers the history of Rome from its legendary founding in 753 BCE up to Livy's own time. Livy's work is invaluable for understanding early Roman history and culture.

Another famous Roman historian was Tacitus (Publius Cornelius Tacitus), who lived during the 1st and 2nd centuries CE. His work 'Annals' covers the history of Rome from the death of Augustus in 14 CE up to the death of Nero in 68 CE. Tacitus' work is particularly valuable for its insights into the Julio-Claudian dynasty.

Other notable Roman historians include Sallust (Gaius Sallustius Crispus), who wrote extensively on the Jugurthine War and the conspiracy of Catiline; Pliny the Elder (Gaius Plinius Secundus), who wrote a monumental natural history encyclopedia; and Suetonius (Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus), who wrote biographies of the first twelve Roman emperors.