Titus Livius

1. The history of the Romans from the foundation of the City to its capture, first under kings, then under consuls and dictators, decemviri and consular tribunes, wars abroad and dissensions at home, I have set out in five books, covering matters which were obscure both through their great antiquity, like objects dimly perceived in the far distance, and because in those days there were few written records, the only reliable means of preserving a memory of past events.

— from Rome and Italy, 1982