This thesis explores how Livy presents conspiracies and what it can teach us about his view on history and the writing of history. Because of the secret nature of conspiracies Livy's readers can have a most intimate look at his presentation of historical events.
The semantic field of coniuratio, coniuro, and coniuratus can be broken down into six categories depending on its origin and aim. Livy employs certain strategies to show the danger of conspiracies within and outside Rome, and slave revolts. On the other hand, he plays down conspiracies in favor of Rome. In case of conspiracies among non-Romans, Livy's use of terminology and the narratological structure of an episode adapt to the relation of the respective group toward Rome.
Analysis of conspiracies from each of the six categories mentioned above casts light on the dramatic structure and the construction of tension in the narratives. The importance of labeling episodes as conspiracies also comes out in the case of conspiracies that Livy does not identify as such.