Polybius: Historian and Politician
Louis XIV
The histories written by Polybius are considered to be essential from historiographic perspective as it gives detailed and comprehensive picture and understanding of the Hellenistic world. His work on the rise and fall of the Roman Empire are considered to be one of the most important and significant works in the field of classical history.[footnoteRef:1] The aim of this research is to investigate and study the historical settings in which Polybius had penned down his most famous work, the Histories in the lights of broad and diverse academic resources. The analysis would be beneficial in understanding the political and social constraints responsible for influencing his work and furthermore, the opinion of his contemporaries and the reception got from critics when Polybius work was completed. [1: Bulloch, A.W., Gruen, E.S., Long, A.A. And Stewart, A. (eds.) (1993) Images and Ideologies: Self-Definition in the Hellenistic World, Berkeley-Los Angeles London]
Background of the Research
Polybius was originally a Greek but lived in the times of Roman Empire. As a historian, he has made significant contributions in the field of classical historiography. The Histories had been written in multiethnic cultural settings. His masterpiece contains several important concepts including the concept that continuous development and diversity are essential for the survival of a government. This diversity must also be embraced in order to promote progression and development. The analysis made by Polybius are unique and logical and based on rational thinking and thus, they form the foundations of modern concepts, which makes the researchers, authors and academics to revisit Polybius.
The research would incorporate thorough and critical analysis and historiography of Polybius in order to understand the atmosphere and settings in which he had written the Histories. Furthermore, what inspired him to write and what factors influenced his writings would also be explored. Histories cover the political system of Rome. According to Polybius, the balance of power can be seen in the Roman system of government. This attitude and perception would be explored and investigated[footnoteRef:2]. The qualities of the Roman system of government would be analyzed and investigated. The historical accounts and narratives would also be discussed and presented in this research. The accounts of Polybius and his contemporaries would be explored in order to get the clear picture of the classical world of that time. [2: Bulloch, A.W., Gruen, E.S., Long, A.A. And Stewart, A. (eds.) (1993) Images and Ideologies: Self-Definition in the Hellenistic World, Berkeley-Los Angeles London]
It is believed that Polybius had laid down the foundations for exploring and studying political and social movements such as the transformation and changes in the structure of the government and the tactics and strategic course of action adopted by the military. This study would concentrate on discussing the war accounts witnessed by Polybius first hand. The Battles of Cannae and Corinth will be discussed. Polybius always concentrated on analyzing factors that gave rise to a trend that gave rise to the military or political trend rather than discussing details. This makes him stand out among his contemporaries and as the pioneer of classical historiography by giving new tools and methods of conducting historiography.
Polybius work, the Histories, is of great significance and form the basis of classical historiography. This essay would mainly concentrate on discussing politics, military actions and the entire process of history itself used in the Histories. For this purpose, brief biography of Polybius would be given including his association and link with the Achaean Confederacy. Roman imperialism and its expansion in Northern parts of Africa would be discussed. Furthermore, the wars which he had witnessed firsthand would also be discussed[footnoteRef:3]. Furthermore, Polybius personal relationships with prominent figures including his companionship with Scipio would be analyzed and explored. Lastly, his contribution in the field of historiography would be analyzed. [3: Clarke, K. (1999a) Between Geography and History: Hellenistic Reconstructions of the Roman World, Oxford ]
Biography
Polybius, a great name in history, is known to be one of the most popular historian of all times. Belonging from the Hellenistic world, he had written a book, the Histories, which covers the history of the period 220 to 146 B.C. His work concentrates on explaining how the Romans came into power and how it had been successful in taking full control of Greece. Furthermore, his work contains the concept of political balance in a government. This concept has been extensively in the Spirit of Laws as well as in forming the Constitution of United States. The birth of the historian is disputed although some historians believed that he was born in 200 B.C in Arcadia[footnoteRef:4]. His father name was Lycortas, who was renowned politician and military strategist and belonged to the ruling class. Furthermore, he was active member of the Achaean League. Since Polybius father was against the Roman domination in Macedonia, his opposition and war against the Romans, resulted in imprisoning him. After his father’s imprisonment, Polybius was detained in Rome, where he was appointed by Lucius Aemilius Paulus to provide education to his sons. Because of his high and cultural values, Polybius had been successful in integrating in the Roman society and culture and in 152 B.C; he had been given a chance to go back to Macedonia, which he declined. He had a strong companionship with Scipio, a Roman military commander. He went to Africa and Hispania with him[footnoteRef:5]. [4: Clarke, K. (1999a) Between Geography and History: Hellenistic Reconstructions of the Roman World, Oxford ] [5: Clarke, K. (1999a) Between Geography and History: Hellenistic Reconstructions of the Roman World, Oxford ]
Early Political and Military Influence
Polybius was from Megalopolis in Arcadia. Since his father was a prominent politician and member of Achaean League, Polybius life revolved around politics and military. This gave him the chance to gain information on military and political affairs of that time. His fondness for hunting, diversions and horse riding assisted him to get an honourable place among his Achaean contemporaries and later in Rome. He got the position of a cavalry leader in the year 170 B.C. His initial career in politics mainly concentrated on fighting for freedom.
The History
The History is considered to be volumes of his work, which contain historical events and accounts, which Polybius had experienced firsthand. He covers the rise of the Roman Empire and how it was erected. Furthermore, war accounts including how the Romans defeated Hannibal and the plundering of Carthage and Corinth have been discussed in detail[footnoteRef:6]. According to Polybius, a historian should only write about the events in which he could interview those individuals, who had witnessed them. [6: Clarke, K. (1999b) ‘Unusual perspectives in historiography’, in C.S. Kraus, ed., The Limits of Historiography: Genre and Narrative in Ancient Historical Texts (Leiden-Boston-Cologne) 249 — 79 ]
The Rise of the Roman Empire
Polybius main objective was to analyze the factors that contributed towards the rise of the Roman Empire. He has analyzed the merits of Roman constitution and has compared it to the constitutions of other civilizations. As a political theorist, his outlook and opinions can be observed through the political analysis in the History. The initial volume of the History starts with Polybius stay in Rome. Polybius was detained in Rome, where he was appointed by Lucius Aemilius Paulus to provide education to his sons. Because of his high and cultural values, Polybius had been successful in integrating in the Roman society and culture and in 152 B.C; he had been given a chance to go back to Macedonia, which he declined. The end of Macedonian monarchy in 168 BC particularly interested Polybius and from his perspective, “the rise of Rome as the work of Fortune (Tyche). According to him, this fate, raised Rome to world domination; the swift conquest of power by Rome was more like the manifestation of a providential plan”[footnoteRef:7]. However, it should be noted that the rise of Roman Empire as explained by Polybius does not indicate that history is influenced by a Deity or Supernatural Force. He has mentioned several times in his book that “historical events result from human actions and in one significant passage in Book XXXVI, he allows the historian to invoke Tyche only as an explanation of those events for which it is difficult or impossible for men to perceive any rational cause – for example, floods, drought, epidemics and what in English we call ‘acts of God'”[footnoteRef:8]. [7: Clarke, K. (1999b) ‘Unusual perspectives in historiography’, in C.S. Kraus, ed., The Limits of Historiography: Genre and Narrative in Ancient Historical Texts (Leiden-Boston-Cologne) 249 — 79 ] [8: Kurt Von Fritz -The Theory of the Mixed Constitution in Antiquity: A Critical Analysis of Polybius’ Political Ideas. Publisher: Columbia University Press. Place of Publication: New York. Publication Year: 2004]
What contributed towards the Rise of the Roman Empire in accordance to Polybius history? The History indicates that the Volume VI that Romans are like that of melting pot, which combines the ideas of all individuals and thus, each and every idea is amalgamated and unified into one single idea, promoting creativity and individuality. Polybius believes that this is the success of the Roman Empire as the use of ideas contributes towards greater individuality and creativity[footnoteRef:9]. [9: Clarke, K. (1999b) ‘Unusual perspectives in historiography’, in C.S. Kraus, ed., The Limits of Historiography: Genre and Narrative in Ancient Historical Texts (Leiden-Boston-Cologne) 249 — 79 ]
Political Outlook
The History indicates that the Volume VI that Romans are like that of melting pot, which combines the ideas of all individuals and thus, each and every idea is amalgamated and unified into one single idea, promoting creativity and individuality[footnoteRef:10]. Polybius believes that this is the success of the Roman Empire as the use of ideas contributed towards greater individuality and creativity[footnoteRef:11]. At that time, The Greeks believed that a stronger constitution can only be achieved if the nation was strong itself[footnoteRef:12]. Therefore, they believed that the strong constitution comprised of upper classes, monarchy and democracy. Furthermore, Polybius has classified these elements as oligarchy, tyranny and ochlocracy and asserts that this form of Greek constitution is not applicable. On the other hand, he describes the Roman model of constitution and asserts that by becoming a republic, a balance of power is achieved. The Consuls have the duty to assume the role of monarch and have the authority and control over the army and the budget of the state[footnoteRef:13]. The Senate has the duty to recruit and approve Consults and Censors. Furthermore, it has the duty to look after finance and trade and foreign policy. By setting up this balance of power, the Romans had been successful in managing their governments and this contributed significantly in their rise. [10: Hoof, A.J.L. van. 2007. “Polybius’ Reason and Religion: The Relations between Polybius’s Rational Thinking and His Attitude towards Religion in the Studies of History.” Klio 59: 101 — 28] [11: Clarke, K. (1999b) ‘Unusual perspectives in historiography’, in C.S. Kraus, ed., The Limits of Historiography: Genre and Narrative in Ancient Historical Texts (Leiden-Boston-Cologne) 249 — 79 ] [12: Collatz, C.F., Helms, H. And Schafer, M. (2000) Polybios-Lexikon, Band I, Lieferung I (?-), 2nd edn, Berlin] [13: Hoof, A.J.L. van. 2007. “Polybius’ Reason and Religion: The Relations between Polybius’s Rational Thinking and His Attitude towards Religion in the Studies of History.” Klio 59: 101 — 28]
Companionship with Scipio
In 167 B.C, Polybius along with other one thousand Achaeans nobles, had been moved to Rome and had remained there for more than seventeen years of their lives. Polybius had been successful in integrating himself in the Roman culture and society because of his high cultural values and this made Ameilius Paulus, to appoint him as a teacher and mentor for his two sons; Scipio Aemilianus and Fabius. Polybius enjoyed a strong companionship with Scipio and he remained a counsellor to this Roman General, and witnessed the destruction of Carthage. In 149 B.C, Polybius accompanied Scipio on the military expedition to Africa and when Carthage was captured, he witnessed firsthand. He also witnessed the battle of Corinth.
The Importance of Geography
Geographical location and settings play an important role in Polybius’s history, which may been inspired by Ephorus. Ephorus is the only author, for whom, Polybius has high regard. The History, Volume XXXIV, is considered to be important as Polybius seeks to give an outline of geography of “the whole of the oecumene, at a point when, as the historian elsewhere explains, the organised empire which Rome had built up during the previous years was now threatened with trouble and disturbance”[footnoteRef:14]. [14: Davidson, James: ‘Polybius’ in Feldherr, Andrew ed. The Cambridge Companion to the Roman Historians, Cambridge University Press, 2009.]
Historical Analysis of Polybius’s History
Many historians believe that Polybius’s historical narratives provide reliable and authentic accounts of the classical world on basis of the fact that it is clear in terms of message, principles and methodologies as compared to other Greek historians of his time. Furthermore, it also acts as an autobiography.
The significance of Polybius’s history extends beyond the study of ancient history and historiography. Petrarch mentions Polybius among other Roman historians in his letter to Livy (Fam. 24.8); in modern times Polybius’s text first reappeared and became known in western Europe early in the fifteenth century[footnoteRef:15]. [15: Kurt Von Fritz -The Theory of the Mixed Constitution in Antiquity: A Critical Analysis of Polybius’ Political Ideas. Publisher: Columbia University Press. Place of Publication: New York. Publication Year: 2004]
Polybius history has made a significant impact on the political theory of the west. For instance, the first book written by Machiavelli, by the name of Discorsi, contains cycle of constitutions, which
The blend of the three simple constitutional forms, and the distinction between Lycurgan Sparta, where the “mixed” polity was the work of one man, and republican Rome, where the same end came about through trial and error — all of which are treated in the sixth book of Polybius[footnoteRef:16]. [16: Frank W. Walbank. Polybius, Rome, and the Hellenistic World: Essays and Reflections. Contributors: – editor. Publisher: Cambridge University Press. Place of Publication: Cambridge, England. Publication Year: 2002.]
Furthermore, Polybius had also influenced Jean Bodin and Justus Lipsius. Furthermore, the Polybius theory has also been used in forming the Constitution of United States.
As compared to the works of Herodotus and Thucydides work, Polybius history is considered to be detailed and comprehensive.
The history is invaluable for the evidence it provides on ancient Greek historiographical practice, as Polybius discusses historiographical standards and methodology more than any other ancient author. Polybius’s ideas on the prerequisites for the ideal historian are closely tied to his own career as statesman. He insists that the historian must be an intrepid traveller and inquirer with firsthand knowledge of geography and topography, and he must also be a man of affairs with wide-ranging experience in the arts of politics and war[footnoteRef:17]. [17: Hoof, A.J.L. van. 2007. “Polybius’ Reason and Religion: The Relations between Polybius’s Rational Thinking and His Attitude towards Religion in the Studies of History.” Klio 59: 101 — 28]
Polybius believes that historiography must be based on accurateness, authenticity and validly and these are the tools, which makes the historian’s work stand out. Polybius asserts:
For just as a living creature which has lost its eyesight is wholly incapacitated, so if History is stripped of its truth all that is left is but an idle tale. We should therefore not shrink from accusing our friends and praising our enemies; nor need we be shy of sometimes praising and sometimes blaming the same people, since it is neither possible that the same men in the actual business of life should always be in the right, nor is it probable that they should always be mistaken. We must therefore disregard the actors in our narrative and apply to the actions such terms and such criticisms as they deserve.[footnoteRef:18] [18: Hunt, L., ed. 2009. The New Cultural History. Berkeley and Los Angeles]
His work, the history, demonstrates the ideals and high standards he had defined for himself in order to distinguish himself from his contemporaries. The historical narrative penned by the historian also shows that he is a researcher. Classical and modern critics praise Polybius as a historian because of the accuracy and authenticity of his historical events and accounts. “Polybius was a positivist historian from antiquity who adumbrated correct historical procedure for modern scholars”[footnoteRef:19]. Polybius had laid down the foundations of impartial and objective methods and tools of historiography, which have made a significant contribution in influencing the modern historiography. On basis of authenticity and objectivity, Polybius and Thucydides share the same position. As mentioned earlier, the historical narratives of Polybius covers the rise of the Roman Empire, his works also gives insights on the historiographical tools used by the Greek historians of his time[footnoteRef:20]. The historical facts together with Polybius ” combined with Polybius’s difficult and crabbed prose style, have meant that modern researchers have used his text primarily as a source for reconstructing the political and military history of the Mediterranean world in the second century, and less often for the insights it provides into ancient Greek historiographical practice”[footnoteRef:21]. [19: Podes, Stephan. “Polybius and His Theory of Anacyclosis: Problems of Not Just Ancient Political Theory.” History of Political Thought 12 (2001): 577-87] [20: Hoof, A.J.L. van. 2007. “Polybius’ Reason and Religion: The Relations between Polybius’s Rational Thinking and His Attitude towards Religion in the Studies of History.” Klio 59: 101 — 28] [21: Hunt, L., ed. 2009. The New Cultural History. Berkeley and Los Angeles]
Analysis
The histories written by Polybius are considered to be essential from historiographic perspective as it gives detailed and comprehensive picture and understanding of the Hellenistic world .As a historian, he has made significant contributions in the field of classical historiography. The Histories had been written in multiethnic cultural settings. His masterpiece contains several important concepts including the concept that continuous development and diversity are essential for the survival of a government. This diversity must also be embraced in order to promote progression and development According to Polybius, the balance of power can be seen in the Roman system of government. This attitude and perception would be explored and investigated[footnoteRef:22]. The qualities of the Roman system of government would be analyzed and investigated. The historical accounts and narratives would also be discussed and presented in this research. The accounts of Polybius and his contemporaries would be explored in order to get the clear picture of the classical world of that time. [22: Hoof, A.J.L. van. 2007. “Polybius’ Reason and Religion: The Relations between Polybius’s Rational Thinking and His Attitude towards Religion in the Studies of History.” Klio 59: 101 — 28]
It is believed that Polybius had laid down the foundations for exploring and studying political and social movements such as the transformation and changes in the structure of the government and the tactics and strategic course of action adopted by the military. According to Polybius, a historian should only write about the events in which he could interview those individuals, who had witnessed them. Polybius main objective was to analyze the factors that contributed towards the rise of the Roman Empire. He has analyzed the merits of Roman constitution and has compared it to the constitutions of other civilizations[footnoteRef:23]. The History indicates that the Volume VI that Romans are like that of melting pot, which combines the ideas of all individuals and thus, each and every idea is amalgamated and unified into one single idea, promoting creativity and individuality. Polybius believes that this is the success of the Roman Empire as the uses of ideas contribute greater individuality and creativity. Geographical location and settings play an important role in Polybius’s history, which may be inspired by Ephorus. Ephorus is the only author, for whom, Polybius has high regard. [23: Hoof, A.J.L. van. 2007. “Polybius’ Reason and Religion: The Relations between Polybius’s Rational Thinking and His Attitude towards Religion in the Studies of History.” Klio 59: 101 — 28]
Many historians believe that Polybius’s historical narratives provide reliable and authentic accounts of the classical world on basis of the fact that it is clear in terms of message, principles and methodologies as compared to other Greek historians of his time. Polybius history has made a significant impact on the political theory of the west. Polybius had influenced Jean Bodin and Justus Lipsius[footnoteRef:24]. Furthermore, the Polybius theory has also been used in forming the Constitution of United States. Polybius believes that historiography must be based on accurateness, authenticity and validly and these are the tools, which makes the historian’s work stand out His work, the history, demonstrates the ideals and high standards he had defined for himself in order to distinguish himself from his contemporaries. [24: Walbank, F.W. A Historical Commentary on Polybius. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 2007. ]
The historical narrative penned by the historian also shows that he is a researcher. Classical and modern critics praise Polybius as a historian because of the accuracy and authenticity of his historical events and accounts[footnoteRef:25]. [25: Walbank, F. W Polybius. Sather Classical Lectures. Vol. 42. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2002]
Conclusion
The histories written by Polybius are considered to be essential from historiographic perspective as it gives detailed and comprehensive picture and understanding of the Hellenistic world. His work on the rise and fall of the Roman Empire are considered to be one of the most important and significant works in the field of classical history. His work, the history, demonstrates the ideals and high standards he had defined for himself in order to distinguish himself from his contemporaries. The historical narrative penned by the historian also shows that he is a researcher.
Bibliography
Bulloch, A.W., Gruen, E.S., Long, A.A. And Stewart, A. (eds.) (1993) Images and Ideologies: Self-Definition in the Hellenistic World, Berkeley-Los AngelesLondon
Clarke, K. (1999a) Between Geography and History: Hellenistic Reconstructions of the Roman World, Oxford
Clarke, K. (1999b) ‘Unusual perspectives in historiography’, in C.S. Kraus, ed., The Limits of Historiography: Genre and Narrative in Ancient Historical Texts (Leiden-Boston-Cologne) 249 — 79
Collatz, C.F., Helms, H. And Schafer, M. (2000) Polybios-Lexikon, Band I, Lieferung I (?-), 2nd edn, Berlin
Davidson, James: ‘Polybius’ in Feldherr, Andrew ed. The Cambridge Companion to the Roman Historians, Cambridge University Press, 2009.
Frank W. Walbank. Polybius, Rome, and the Hellenistic World: Essays and Reflections. Contributors: – editor. Publisher: Cambridge University Press. Place of Publication: Cambridge, England. Publication Year: 2002.
Kurt Von Fritz -The Theory of the Mixed Constitution in Antiquity: A Critical Analysis of Polybius’ Political Ideas. Publisher: Columbia University Press. Place of Publication: New York. Publication Year: 2004
Hoof, A.J.L. van. 2007. “Polybius’ Reason and Religion: The Relations between Polybius’s Rational Thinking and His Attitude towards Religion in the Studies of History.” Klio 59: 101 — 28
Hunt, L., ed. 2009. The New Cultural History. Berkeley and Los Angeles
Podes, Stephan. “Polybius and His Theory of Anacyclosis: Problems of Not Just Ancient Political Theory.” History of Political Thought 12 (2001): 577-87
Walbank, F.W. A Historical Commentary on Polybius. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 2007
Walbank, F. W Polybius. Sather Classical Lectures. Vol. 42. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2002.
