Books 5–8
In his history, Polybius (ca. 200–118 BC) is centrally concerned with how and why Roman power spread. The main part of the work, a vital achievement despite the incomplete state in which all but the first five books of an original forty survive, describes the rise of Rome, its destruction of Carthage, and its eventual domination of the Greek world.
Hellenistic history.
The historianPolybius (ca. 200–118 BC) was born into a leading family of Megalopolisin the Peloponnese (Morea) and served the Achaean League in arms anddiplomacy for many years, favoring alliance with Rome. From 168 to 151he was held hostage in Rome, where he became a friend of Lucius AemiliusPaulus and his two sons, especially Scipio Aemilianus, whose campaigns,including the destruction of Carthage, he later attended. Late in hislife he became a trusted mediator between Greece and the Romans; helpedin the discussions that preceded the final war with Carthage; and after146 was entrusted by the Romans with the details of administration inGreece.
Polybius’ overall theme is how and why the Romans spread their power asthey did. The main part of his history covers the years 264–146 BC,describing the rise of Rome, her destruction of Carthage, and hereventual domination of the Greek world. It is a great work: accurate,thoughtful, largely impartial, based on research, and full of insightinto customs, institutions, geography, the causes of events, and thecharacter of peoples. It is a vital achievement of the first importancedespite the incomplete state in which all but the first five of itsoriginal forty books have reached us.
For this edition, W. R. Paton’s excellent translation, first publishedin 1922, has been thoroughly revised, the Büttner-Wobst Greek textcorrected, and explanatory notes and a new introduction added, allreflecting the latest scholarship.
The Loeb Classical Library edition of Polybius is in six volumes.
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