Moral exemplars
Moral exemplars abound in Livy's Rise of Rome to provide his contemporary audience with a model of worthy behaviour, in keeping with perceived values of a past Rome. These moral exemplars come in the form of individual characters and noteworthy groups of Romans. Camillus is one such moral exemplar, a general whose actions and deeds Livy praises for embodying the traditional values of pietas and eloquentia he seeks to valorise.
Throughout The Rise of Rome, the negative characterisations of invading foreigners serve as foils for the virtue of the Romans, thus elevating early Romans as moral exemplars. Livy juxtaposes the group characterisation of the invading Gauls and the Capitoline army to provide exemplars of good and bad behaviour. The Gauls embody laziness and irrationality in their military strategy and ransom transaction, traits antithetical to Livy and Augustus' model of good Roman character. Conversely, the Capitoline army remain staunchly brave and resilient to plague and famine, with Livy emphasising that their surrender comes as a result of external factors rather than weakness of moral character.
Omens and portents
Livy portrayed omens and portents frequently throughout his history as indications of divine aid and disposition towards the Romans' actions. To heed these portents, Livy argues, is integral to maintaining the pax deorum and maintaining Rome's military and civic success. Camillus points out that the Romans were only successful in capturing Veii when they finally heeded the gods' message to draw water from the Alban lake. Livy emphasises that the spurning of a nocturnal message from the gods warning about the arrival of Gauls led to great Roman destruction during the siege of Rome. This theme of omens and portents as proponents of divine will furthers Livy's model of historical causation wherein the success of the Romans is dependent upon the state of the pax deorum.
Physical and moral weakness of barbarian groups
The physical and moral weakness of invading foreigners and enemy groups is a recurring theme throughout The Rise of Rome. Livy relies heavily on ethnographical topoi in characterising groups such as the Aequi, Sabines and Volsci in earlier parts of The Rise of Rome. In particular, the Gauls lack the constantia of the Romans, dying easily of pestilence and intolerant to the heat and humidity of Italy. They exhibit poor judgment in their selection of a site for their camp, lack military discipline and are prone to rage and frenzy when faced with trying military battles. The insolence and greediness of their chieftain, Brennus, are traits which Livy applies to all the Gauls as national characteristics. The theme of the Romans' ethnic and moral superiority is supported by Livy's heavy emphasis on the weaknesses of such barbarian groups.
