Polybius - The Rise of the Roman Empire

THE RISE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE

ADVISORY EDITOR: BETTY RADICE

The Greek statesman and historian POLYBIUS (C. 200-118 B.C.)played a prominent part in the Achaean League, which strove to maintain a friendly but independent policy towards the Romans. After the defeat of Macedon in168 B.C., Polybius was removed to Rome for indefinite detention on political grounds. There he met Scipio Aemilianus, a son of the conqueror of Macedon, and became the young mans friend and adviser. This gave Polybius entry to the aristocratic Sdpienic circle and the freedom of movement to visit Africa, Spain and Gaul. In 150 B.C. his detention ended and he returned to Greece, but he remained closely associated with Scipio and accompanied him to Carthage in the Third Punic War.

Polybius drew upon a variety of written and oral sources which are no longer identifiable, as well as employing documentary evidence, such as the treaties between Rome and Carthage. His aim was partly to assess the achievement of die Roman domination and partly to write a history of practical benefit to future statesmen. For the latter purpose he insisted that die historian must himself have participated in war and politics at first hand. As a work of scientific history, written by a man of great intelligence who commanded a wide experience of political and military affairs, and who is largely free from national prejudices and dedicated to the search for truth, it is of inestimable value.

FRANK W. WALBANK was educated at Bradford Grammar School and Peterhouse, Cambridge, where he is now an Honorary Fellow. He is a past President of the Classical Association and of the Roman Society, and a Fellow of the British Academy. He was successively Professor of Latin and of Ancient History and Classical Archaeology in the University of Liverpool for thirty-one years. His published works include The Awful Revolution (1969), Polybius (1972), A Historical Commentary on Polybius (three volumes; 1957,1967 and 1979), The Hellenistic World (1981), Selected Papers (1985) and numerous articles and reviews.

IAN SCOTT-KILVERT studied Classics at Harrow and Caius College, Cambridge, and was General Editor of the Writers and Their Work series for the British Council. He translated Plutarchs The Rise and Fall of Athens, Makers of Rome: Nine Lives and The Age of Alexander for the Penguin Classics. He died in1989.