Polybius
Polybius was a Greek historian of the Hellenistic period, best known for his work 'The Histories,' which chronicled the rise of the Roman Republic and its domination over the Mediterranean world. Born in Megalopolis, Arcadia, he was part of the Achaean League and became a prominent figure in the political landscape of his time. His firsthand experiences and insights into the political machinations of the era provided a unique perspective on the events that shaped the ancient world. Polybius was particularly interested in the reasons behind Rome's rapid expansion, emphasizing the importance of military organization and political institutions in his analysis. His historical methodology was groundbreaking, as he sought to provide a factual account based on eyewitness testimony and critical evaluation of sources, which set a precedent for future historians. Polybius's work is notable not only for its detailed narrative but also for its exploration of the concept of 'mixed government,' which influenced later political thought, including the framers of the United States Constitution. His legacy endures as one of the foundational figures in the study of history, providing valuable insights into the complexities of power, governance, and the interplay of cultures in the ancient world.
Famous Quotes
View all 3 quotes“There is no witness so dreadful, no accuser so terrible as the conscience that dwells in the heart of every man.”
“If history is deprived of the Truth, we are left with nothing but an idle, unprofitable tale.”
“In our own time the whole of Greece has been subject to a low birth rate and a general decrease of the population, owing to which cities have become deserted and the land has ceased to yield fruit, although there have neither been continuous wars nor epidemics...For as men had fallen into such a state of pretentiousness, avarice, and indolence that they did not wish to marry, or if they married to rear the children born to them, or at most as a rule but one or two of them, so as to leave these in affluence and bring them up to waste their substance, the evil rapidly and insensibly grew.”
Books from the author
