The Histories, Vol 2: Bks.III & IV

Loeb Polybius histories #2

by Polybius

Polybius (born ca. 208 BCE) of Megalopolis in the Peloponnese (Morea), served the Achaean League in arms and diplomacy for many years, favouring alliance with Rome. From 168 to 151 he was hostage in Rome where he became a friend of Aemilius Paulus and his two sons, and especially adopted Scipio Aemilianus whose campaigns he attended later. In late life he was trusted mediator between Greece and the Romans whom he admired; helped in the discussions which preceded the final war with Carthage; and, after 146, was entrusted by the Romans with details of administration in Greece. He died at the age of 82 after a fall from his horse.

The main part of Polybius's history covers the years 264-146 BCE. It describes the rise of Rome to the destruction of Carthage and the domination of Greece by Rome. It is a great work, accurate, thoughtful, largely impartial, based on research, full of insight into customs, institutions, geography, causes of events and character of people; it is a vital achievement of first rate importance, despite the incomplete state in which all but the first five of the forty books have reached us. Polybius's overall theme is how and why the Romans spread their power as they did.

The Loeb Classical Library edition of Polybius is in six volumes.

Genres: History, Classics, Nonfiction

576 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 151

About the author

Polybius (ca. 200–118 BC), Greek Πολύβιος) was a Greek historian of the Hellenistic Period noted for his book called The Histories covering in detail the period of 220–146 BC. He is also renowned for his ideas of political balance in government, which were later used in Montesquieu's The Spirit of the Laws and in the drafting of the United States Constitution.

Reviews

[Lukerik · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’d like to read about Hannibal crossing the Alps with his elephants then this is the book for you. It’s not quite an eye-witness account, but was written so soon afterwards that Polybius could certainly have spoken to eye-witnesses, and it reads as if he did. You could jump straight in, but reading the first volume really does set the scene. This second volume tells the tale of the first half of the Second Punic War. I presume the story concludes in volume three. I’ve read a fair bit of ancient military history now and can tell you that Polybius’s clear, precise descriptions of troop movements and battles really can’t be bettered. I’m also starting to pick up on the difference between good and bad soldiering, and having read so many descriptions of the most appalling battlefield incompetence it’s a real pleasure to see Hannibal not just soldiering well but doing it with such style. Five stars for this part of the book.

The second half turns to Greece in the same period. It’s that little stretch of time between Alexander the Great and the Romans. It’s like a calmer version of what was going on in Palestine at the same time as various personages jostle for power, whistling while Rome grows. Polybius is somewhat hampered by his material here. It’s not intrinsically the most interesting period and his account must necessarily be as confusing as the alliances themselves. It’s not until Philip begins his campaign that there’s an overriding story. Being Greek himself, Polybius is unable to maintain the cold objectivism of his account of the Romans and there’s a fair bit of emotive language. Certainly entertaining but perhaps not the best history writing.

[Joshua Horn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume of covers mostly the wars with Hannibal. I read a book on Hannibal (Hannibal: One Man Against Rome by Harold Lamb) that went over most of the information. But for ancient history I find it very useful to dig down to the actual sources, since they are usually relatively slim. It really helps you to see what part of other historian's account are historical fact, and which are their speculations.

[Alexander Rolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Also great! This volume describes Hannibal crossing the Alps, the battle of Cannae, the Gauls, and all sorts of inherently fascinating things.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic account of Hannibal and Scipio. Just enthralling.