Livius Andronicus was the founder of Roman epic poetry and drama.

Andronicos was an educated Greek slave in Rome. He was freed by a member of the Livian family.

Andronicus translated Greek literature into Latin and introduced Greek ideas into the Roman world. His main work 'Odyssia' was a translation of Homer's epic and was the first major Latin poem.

In 240 BC he produced a play as part of a festival; the play was the first dramatic performance ever given in Rome. He continued to write tragedies and comedies in rivalry with the Roman writer Naevius.