Polybius

Cicero - Musei Capitolini

Charles Montesquieu

Polybius (c. 200 – c. 118 BC) was an ancient Greek historian of the Hellenistic period noted for his work, The Histories, which covered the period of 264–146 BC in detail. The work described the rise of the Roman Republic to the status of dominance in the ancient Mediterranean world and is invaluable for our understanding of the history of this era. Polybius is often credited with being a pioneer in the field of historiography, introducing rigorous methods of historical source criticism.

Life

Polybius was born around 200 BC in Megalopolis, Arcadia, in the Peloponnese, into a prominent family. His father, Lycortas, was a leading figure in the Achaean League, which Polybius later represented in negotiations with the Romans. After the defeat of the Macedonians in the Third Macedonian War, Polybius was taken to Rome as a hostage in 167 BC, where he formed a close relationship with his captor's family, particularly with Scipio Aemilianus. This connection allowed him access to the highest circles of Roman society and the opportunity to travel extensively across the Roman Empire, including a visit to Africa.

The Histories

Polybius's The Histories is his most significant contribution to historiography. It originally consisted of 40 books, of which only the first five are preserved in their entirety, with the rest existing in fragments. His work is particularly valued for its detailed account of the Punic Wars, especially the Third Punic War and the destruction of Carthage. Polybius aimed to explain how and why Rome was able to achieve dominance over the Mediterranean world. He introduced the concept of anacyclosis, the cycle of political evolution, and emphasized the importance of a mixed constitution and the role of the military in the rise of Rome.

Methodology

Polybius is renowned for his methodological rigor. He emphasized the importance of eyewitness accounts and direct experience in the writing of history, criticizing historians who relied solely on hearsay. Polybius himself traveled extensively to gather material, visiting places and interviewing participants of the events he described. He also stressed the importance of understanding the causes behind events, not just the events themselves, and was critical of historians who failed to provide this analysis.

Legacy

Polybius's work had a profound influence on later historians, including Livy, who relied on The Histories for parts of his own work on Roman history. Polybius's emphasis on political analysis and his methodological contributions to historiography have been recognized as foundational to the discipline of history. His insights into the nature of power and governance, particularly his analysis of the Roman constitution, have been influential in the development of political theory.

See Also

• Historiography
• Roman Republic
• Punic Wars
• Scipio Aemilianus