Livy seems to be writing this piece in order to bring history to life with his lyric poem. He also seems to be writing this piece in order to share the history of Rome partially for his own satisfaction, but also so that others can learn from Rome's successes and mistakes.
Livy is writing a combination of annual chronology and narrative rather than a lyrical poem. You are right about the instructional and moral component that Livy assigns to history.
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