ABSTRACT
An interesting example of prayer as a literary device appears in the history of the Roman nation written in Latin by the Roman historiographer Livy (c. 59 bce to ce 17). The speaker is Scipio Africanus, the commander who led Roman troops to defeat the Carthaginian general Hannibal and thus brought an end to the Second Punic War. Scipio is about to set sail from Lilybaeum, Sicily, for the invasion of Africa in 204 bce. As was customary before setting out on a military expedition, Scipio, as general in command, offers prayer and sacrifice on behalf of the army and the Roman nation.
