Livius Andronicus , Lucius , a Roman author of the third century B.C. One of the earliest known Latin writers, he sometimes is called “the father of Roman literature.” Livius wrote plays, adapted others from the Greek, and translated The Odyssey. He also wrote epic and lyric poetry. Only fragments of his work remain. He was born in Tarentum, Greece, and was brought to Rome as a slave or prisoner of war. After he was freed, he became a teacher, actor, and writer.