Abstract
The analysis of the conserved section of the first book of Velleius’ Roman History allows the reinterpretation of its alleged universal nature. Its so-alled universal contents can be reinterpreted as an excursus in order to introduce the complex chronological system of the Roman history. In this way, the whole work can be interpreted as a canonical work of Roman historiography, with the regular structure and key motives that pervaded the genre.