'no one else in our times has attempted to write a universal history' Polybius' ambitious goal was to describe how Rome conquered the Mediterranean world in less than fifty-three years. This great study of imperialism takes the reader back to Rome's first encounter with Carthage in 264 and forward to her destruction of that renowned city in 146. Polybius, himself a leading Greek politician of the time, emphasizes the importance of practical experience for the writing of po...

Polybius was a leading Hellenistic historian, whom many regard as the natural successor to Thucydides. The great theme to his ‘Histories’ was a study of ‘what made Rome great’, exploring the rise of the Republic, the destruction of Carthage and the eventual Roman domination of the Greek world. The Ancient Classics series provides eReaders with the wisdom of the Classical world, with both English translations and the original Greek texts. This comprehensive eBook presents the complete extan...

Written in the 2nd century by the Greek historian Polybius, "The Histories" is a multi-volume work detailing many of the events, people, and ideas of the Hellenistic Period. While his focus is the space of time in which ancient Rome became a world power from 220 to 167 BC, Polybius also discusses his role as a 'pragmatic historian', a discourse on fate (called tyche), and the superiority of the mixed constitution. Though all forty volumes have not survived to the present day, the complete ...

This is the first English translation of the complete works of Polybius as far as they are now known. In attempting such a task I feel that I ought to state distinctly the limits which I have proposed to myself in carrying it out. I have desired to present to English readers a faithful copy of what Polybius wrote, which should at the same time be a readable English book. I have not been careful to follow the Greek idiom; and have not hesitated to break up and curtail or enlarge his sentenc...

The Greek statesman Polybius (c.200–118 BC) wrote his account of the relentless growth of the Roman Empire in order to help his fellow countrymen understand how their world came to be dominated by Rome. Opening with the Punic War in 264 BC, he vividly records the critical stages of Roman expansion: its campaigns throughout the Mediterranean, the temporary setbacks inflicted by Hannibal and the final destruction of Carthage. An active participant of the politics of his time as well...

In "The Histories of Polybius (Vol. 1 & 2)", the ancient historian Polybius offers a meticulous account of the rise of the Roman Republic and its eventual domination over the Mediterranean world during the late Hellenistic period. Composed in a clear, analytical style that combines narrative with rigorous assessment, these volumes encompass both political and military aspects from the Second Punic War to the Roman conquest of Greece. Polybius's work is characterized by a commitment to fact...

The Histories of Polybius (Vol. 1 & 2) opens one of antiquity's most ambitious historical enterprises: an explanation of how Rome, within scarcely fifty-three years, came to dominate the Mediterranean world. Combining military narrative, constitutional analysis, geography, and political reflection, Polybius writes in a sober, investigative style that rejects mere entertainment in favor of pragmatic history. Set within the Hellenistic tradition yet directed toward Rome's rise, these volumes...

How did the city state of Rome rise inexorably to become the dominant power in the Mediterranean and much of the Western world?In short, first of all it overcame the established Carthaginian Empire despite the remarkable exploits of Hannibal. And, largely at the same time, it gradually subjugated the many and varied city states of Greece, despite various allied opposition.The rise of Rome is one of the great stories of world history, and fortunately, we have a reliable and ...

In 'The Histories of Polybius', the author provides a detailed account of the rise of Rome from 264 to 146 BC. Polybius combines historical facts with analysis, making this work a significant contribution to ancient historiography. Written in a straightforward and lucid style, the book offers insight into the political and military events of the time, as well as the complex interplay of different cultures and civilizations. Polybius' meticulous research and impartial narration add to the c...

Written in the 2nd century by the Greek historian Polybius, “The Histories” is a multi-volume work detailing many of the events, people, and ideas of the Hellenistic Period. While his focus is the space of time in which ancient Rome became a world power from 220 to 167 BC, Polybius also discusses his role as a ‘pragmatic historian’, a discourse on fate (called tyche), and the superiority of the mixed constitution. Though all forty volumes have not survived to the present day, the complete ...

In "The Histories of Polybius (Vol.1&2)", the ancient historian intricately weaves a narrative that examines the rise of Rome and its unprecedented dominance in the Mediterranean world. Characterized by meticulous detail and a rigorous empirical approach, Polybius employs a blend of narrative storytelling and analytical discourse, emphasizing the cause-and-effect relationships that define historical events. His work, situated within the larger context of Hellenistic historiography, breaks ...

In his seminal work, "Histories," Polybius employs a meticulous narrative style that intertwines factual history with political analysis, offering an insightful examination of the rise of the Roman Republic and its transformation into a dominant power. Written in the aftermath of the Punic Wars, Polybius's accounts are distinguished by his use of primary sources and firsthand experience, reflecting the complexities of warfare, governance, and cultural exchanges. His historiographical metho...