1. Polybius part 21. Polybius part 2

2. Appian2. Appian

Polybius bridging two worldsPolybius bridging two worlds

The Greek Polybius: was being prepared for leadership role The Greek Polybius: was being prepared for leadership role in the Achaean League; 181/80 sent to Egypt as envoy of in the Achaean League; 181/80 sent to Egypt as envoy of Achaean league although still under legal age (about 19?) Achaean league although still under legal age (about 19?)

170/69 elected cavalry commander of the League (at age 170/69 elected cavalry commander of the League (at age 30) (Polybius 24.6.5)30) (Polybius 24.6.5)

Accused to be anti Roman by political rival in League, Accused to be anti Roman by political rival in League, Callicrates;Callicrates;

167 BCE sent with 1000 other hostages to Rome after 167 BCE sent with 1000 other hostages to Rome after Rome’s victory at Pydna (which ended 3Rome’s victory at Pydna (which ended 3rdrd Macedonian War) Macedonian War)

Hostages remained 17 years in Italy, but only 300 survived Hostages remained 17 years in Italy, but only 300 survived (rest escaped, died, committed suicide)(rest escaped, died, committed suicide)

Hostages distributed throughout Italy but Polybius allowed Hostages distributed throughout Italy but Polybius allowed to stay in Rometo stay in Rome

Made important acquaintances: Cato the Censor – founding Made important acquaintances: Cato the Censor – founding father of Latin historiography (the father of Latin historiography (the Origines)Origines); Cato ; Cato persuaded the Roman senate in 150 to release all hostagespersuaded the Roman senate in 150 to release all hostages

Polybius’ influence on Polybius’ influence on Roman HistoriansRoman Historians

Probably acquainted with and influenced Probably acquainted with and influenced Sempronius Asellio (also an early historian Sempronius Asellio (also an early historian writing in Latin)writing in Latin)

Brutus was working on an epitome of Polybius Brutus was working on an epitome of Polybius on the eve of the battle of Pharsalus (48 BCE)on the eve of the battle of Pharsalus (48 BCE)

Livy (Augustan Age) sometimes follows Livy (Augustan Age) sometimes follows Polybius very closely, i.e. the points he makes Polybius very closely, i.e. the points he makes in speeches (example Polybius 15.6.4-7.9 in speeches (example Polybius 15.6.4-7.9 compare with Livy 30.30.2-30) compare with Livy 30.30.2-30)

Livy also follows Polybius in the role Livy also follows Polybius in the role Fortuna/TycheFortuna/Tyche plays in human affairs plays in human affairs

The role of The role of fortunafortuna (fortune/chance)(fortune/chance)

in Polybius’ historyin Polybius’ history ““There is this analogy between the plan of There is this analogy between the plan of

my History and the marvelous spirit of the my History and the marvelous spirit of the age with which I have to deal. Just as age with which I have to deal. Just as Fortune (Fortune (tychetyche) made almost all the affairs ) made almost all the affairs of the world incline in one direction and of the world incline in one direction and forced them to converge upon one and the forced them to converge upon one and the same point, so it is my task as an historian same point, so it is my task as an historian to put before my readers a compendious to put before my readers a compendious view of the part played by Fortune in view of the part played by Fortune in bringing about the general catastrophe. It bringing about the general catastrophe. It was this peculiarity which originally was this peculiarity which originally challenged my attention and determined challenged my attention and determined me on undertaking this work.” (Book 1.4)me on undertaking this work.” (Book 1.4)

Hellenistic intellectual Hellenistic intellectual traditiontradition

Polybius wrote his history in common Polybius wrote his history in common Hellenistic intellectual tradition emphasizing: Hellenistic intellectual tradition emphasizing: impartiality, usefulness, historians to have impartiality, usefulness, historians to have practical experience, the superiority of the practical experience, the superiority of the sense of sight, importance of critical sense of sight, importance of critical examination of events (causes, etc.), history as examination of events (causes, etc.), history as apodeiktikeapodeiktike (demonstratory); the role of (demonstratory); the role of tychetyche (luck, fortune), the cycling of constitutions with (luck, fortune), the cycling of constitutions with the ‘balanced’ as most stable onethe ‘balanced’ as most stable one

Many of these ideas already part of Roman Many of these ideas already part of Roman practicespractices

Polybius in Rome catalyst in channelling these Polybius in Rome catalyst in channelling these ideas into Roman historiographyideas into Roman historiography

The nature of Polybius’ The nature of Polybius’ HistoryHistory

Huge work written over many years.Huge work written over many years. Often repetitive, lots of lengthy Often repetitive, lots of lengthy

digressions, very chattydigressions, very chatty i.e. digresses for 3 books on Roman i.e. digresses for 3 books on Roman

institutions, historiography, and institutions, historiography, and geographygeography

Some digressions just chattySome digressions just chatty

A digression: Book 12.2 A digression: Book 12.2 "The lotus is not a large tree, but it is rough and thorny. "The lotus is not a large tree, but it is rough and thorny.

Its leaf resembles that of the blackthorn, but is rather Its leaf resembles that of the blackthorn, but is rather wider and flatter. 3 The fruit at first both in colour and wider and flatter. 3 The fruit at first both in colour and size resembles the white myrtle berry when fully grown, size resembles the white myrtle berry when fully grown, but as it grows it becomes purple in colour and about but as it grows it becomes purple in colour and about the size of a round olive. The stone is quite small. 5 They the size of a round olive. The stone is quite small. 5 They gather it when ripe, and after pounding what is meant gather it when ripe, and after pounding what is meant for the slaves pack it with salt in jars. They remove the for the slaves pack it with salt in jars. They remove the stones from the portion meant for freemen and store it stones from the portion meant for freemen and store it in the same way and on this they feed. 6 The food rather in the same way and on this they feed. 6 The food rather resembles figs or dates, but has a better aroma. 7 Wine resembles figs or dates, but has a better aroma. 7 Wine is also made from it by moistening it and crushing it in is also made from it by moistening it and crushing it in water. This wine is sweet and of an agreeable flavour, water. This wine is sweet and of an agreeable flavour, resembling very good metheglin, and drink it resembling very good metheglin, and drink it unwatered. 8 It does not, however, keep for more than unwatered. 8 It does not, however, keep for more than ten days, so that they make it p309in small quantities ten days, so that they make it p309in small quantities when required. They also make vinegar from it." when required. They also make vinegar from it."

Book 14.11Book 14.11 2 Polybius in his fourteenth book tells us that 2 Polybius in his fourteenth book tells us that

there were many portraits in Alexandrian there were many portraits in Alexandrian temples of Cleino, the cupbearer of Ptolemy temples of Cleino, the cupbearer of Ptolemy Philadelphus, p461representing her clothed Philadelphus, p461representing her clothed only in a chiton and holding a rhyton. 3 "And only in a chiton and holding a rhyton. 3 "And are not some of the finest houses," he says, are not some of the finest houses," he says, called Myrtion's, Mnesis's, and Potheine's? called Myrtion's, Mnesis's, and Potheine's? 4 But what were Mnesis and Potheine but flute-4 But what were Mnesis and Potheine but flute-players and Myrtio one of the professional and players and Myrtio one of the professional and vulgar mimae? 5 And was not Ptolemy vulgar mimae? 5 And was not Ptolemy Philopator the slave of the courtesan Philopator the slave of the courtesan Agathocleia, who overturned the whole Agathocleia, who overturned the whole kingdom?". . . . kingdom?". . . .

Polybius 4.20Polybius 4.20 20 Since the Arcadian nation on the whole has a very high 20 Since the Arcadian nation on the whole has a very high

reputation for virtue among the Greeks, due not only to reputation for virtue among the Greeks, due not only to their humane and hospitable character and usages, but their humane and hospitable character and usages, but especially to their piety to the gods, 2 it is worth while to especially to their piety to the gods, 2 it is worth while to give a moment's consideration to the question of the give a moment's consideration to the question of the savagery of the Cynaetheans, and ask ourselves why, savagery of the Cynaetheans, and ask ourselves why, though unquestionably of Arcadian stock, they so far though unquestionably of Arcadian stock, they so far surpassed all other Greeks at this period in cruelty and surpassed all other Greeks at this period in cruelty and wickedness. 3 I think the reason was that they were the first wickedness. 3 I think the reason was that they were the first and indeed only people in Arcadia to abandon an admirable and indeed only people in Arcadia to abandon an admirable institution, introduced by their forefathers with a nice regard institution, introduced by their forefathers with a nice regard for the natural conditions under which all the inhabitants of for the natural conditions under which all the inhabitants of that country live. 4 For the practice of music, I mean real that country live. 4 For the practice of music, I mean real music, is beneficial to all men, but to Arcadians it is a music, is beneficial to all men, but to Arcadians it is a necessity. 5 For we must not suppose, as Ephorus, in the necessity. 5 For we must not suppose, as Ephorus, in the Preface to his History, making a hasty assertion quite Preface to his History, making a hasty assertion quite unworthy of him, says, that music was introduced by men unworthy of him, says, that music was introduced by men for the purpose of deception and delusion …. And continues for the purpose of deception and delusion …. And continues at some lengthat some length

4.214.21 And he concludes:And he concludes:

10 I have said so much on this subject firstly in order 10 I have said so much on this subject firstly in order that the character of the Arcadian nation should not that the character of the Arcadian nation should not suffer for the crimes of one city, secondly to deter any suffer for the crimes of one city, secondly to deter any other Arcadians from beginning to neglect music under other Arcadians from beginning to neglect music under the impression that its extensive practice in Arcadia the impression that its extensive practice in Arcadia serves no necessary purpose. I p355also spoke for the serves no necessary purpose. I p355also spoke for the sake of the Cynaetheans themselves, in order that, if sake of the Cynaetheans themselves, in order that, if Heaven ever grant them better fortune, they may Heaven ever grant them better fortune, they may humanize themselves by turning their attention to humanize themselves by turning their attention to education and especially to music; for by no other education and especially to music; for by no other means can they hope to free themselves from that means can they hope to free themselves from that savagery which overtook them at this time. 12 Having savagery which overtook them at this time. 12 Having now said all that occurred to me on the subject of this now said all that occurred to me on the subject of this people I return to the point whence I digressed. people I return to the point whence I digressed.

Dating in PolybiusDating in Polybius Uses key events to date his history: 1.6 Uses key events to date his history: 1.6 ““it was the 19it was the 19thth year after the sea fight at year after the sea fight at

Aegospotami and the 16Aegospotami and the 16thth before the battle at before the battle at leuctra; the year in which the Spartans made leuctra; the year in which the Spartans made what is called the Peace of Antalcidas with the what is called the Peace of Antalcidas with the king of Persia; the year in which the elder king of Persia; the year in which the elder Dionysius was besieging Rhegium after beating Dionysius was besieging Rhegium after beating the Italian Greeks on the River Elleporus; and in the Italian Greeks on the River Elleporus; and in which the Gauls took Rome itself by storm and which the Gauls took Rome itself by storm and were occupying the whole of it except the were occupying the whole of it except the Capital (387-387 BCE)Capital (387-387 BCE)

These events as clear in audience’s mind as These events as clear in audience’s mind as French Revolution, etc.French Revolution, etc.

Ancient and modern Ancient and modern concepts of datesconcepts of dates

Not a date in modern sense (no Greek or Latin Not a date in modern sense (no Greek or Latin word for date) Ancient date is an word for date) Ancient date is an eventevent

Ancient date is fundamentally a relationship Ancient date is fundamentally a relationship between two or more events between two or more events

Modern dates are numbersModern dates are numbers ancient dating consist of significant events ancient dating consist of significant events

and people wchich construct the time frame in and people wchich construct the time frame in which events have meaningwhich events have meaning

We place events within existing time frame – We place events within existing time frame – our dates are absolute datesour dates are absolute dates

Ancients work with relative frames of time; no Ancients work with relative frames of time; no universal, serial, numerical system of universal, serial, numerical system of chronologychronology

Ancient historical consciousness – Ancient historical consciousness – less abstract than modern - but fixed less abstract than modern - but fixed in series of connecting points marked in series of connecting points marked by people and their deedsby people and their deeds

i.e. Romans named their years after i.e. Romans named their years after the names of their consuls (not a the names of their consuls (not a numbered series)numbered series)

Time in Fabius Pictor, First Time in Fabius Pictor, First Roman HistorianRoman Historian

Wrote in Greek, dating had to make sense in Greek termsWrote in Greek, dating had to make sense in Greek terms Used two crucial events established by Hellenistic chronographical scholarship Used two crucial events established by Hellenistic chronographical scholarship

and historiography:and historiography: 1. For the Greek world the Trojan war was 11. For the Greek world the Trojan war was 1stst panhellenic (all-Greek) event panhellenic (all-Greek) event Ca. 210 BCE the Alexandrian polymath Eratosthenes had fixed 1184/3 BCE as Ca. 210 BCE the Alexandrian polymath Eratosthenes had fixed 1184/3 BCE as

date of the fall of Troy in his date of the fall of Troy in his Chronographiae Chronographiae Troy marked a point dividing myth from historyTroy marked a point dividing myth from history 2. The First Olympiad in 776/5 BCE 2. The First Olympiad in 776/5 BCE For Fabius Pictor the fall of Troy marked the beginning of Rome; started his For Fabius Pictor the fall of Troy marked the beginning of Rome; started his

history with voyage of Aeneas, followed by long line of Alban kings who filled history with voyage of Aeneas, followed by long line of Alban kings who filled gap between Trojan origins and founding of city of Rome by Romulus and gap between Trojan origins and founding of city of Rome by Romulus and Remus as a colony of Alba LongaRemus as a colony of Alba Longa

Also gave date for foundation of city of Rome within the grid of panhellenic Also gave date for foundation of city of Rome within the grid of panhellenic OlympiadOlympiad

Placing Rome’s origins within the panhellenic framework (Trojan War, Placing Rome’s origins within the panhellenic framework (Trojan War, Olympiad) allowed Fabius Pictor to show that Rome was part of the Hellenistic Olympiad) allowed Fabius Pictor to show that Rome was part of the Hellenistic world and not a barbarian outsiderworld and not a barbarian outsider

Fabius’ technique of dating Rome’s Fabius’ technique of dating Rome’s foundation by the Olympiads was foundation by the Olympiads was followed by Gnaus Alimentus, the followed by Gnaus Alimentus, the next Roman history writer (also next Roman history writer (also wrote in Greek)wrote in Greek)

M. Porcus Cato – first to write prose M. Porcus Cato – first to write prose in Latin – shift in language required in Latin – shift in language required shift in chronologyshift in chronology

Dion.Hal.Dion.Hal.Ant.RomAnt.Rom 1.74.2 1.74.2on Catoon Cato

““Cato does not make Greek time-divisions .his date for Cato does not make Greek time-divisions .his date for Rome’s foundation is not Olympiad but four hundred and Rome’s foundation is not Olympiad but four hundred and thirty –two years after the Trojan War.thirty –two years after the Trojan War.

Reference point Trojan war was a universal or Roman Reference point Trojan war was a universal or Roman History not GreekHistory not Greek

From Cato on, Roman historians use indigenous time From Cato on, Roman historians use indigenous time framesframes

Uses of intervals: “Capua had been in existence for around Uses of intervals: “Capua had been in existence for around 260 years before captured by the Romans “(Vell.Pat.1.7.2)260 years before captured by the Romans “(Vell.Pat.1.7.2)

Pliny Counting back to foundation of city of America i.e. 963 Pliny Counting back to foundation of city of America i.e. 963 years before the war against Perseus (Plin. HN 3.114)years before the war against Perseus (Plin. HN 3.114)

Other dating schemes: Other dating schemes: Greek city states - named after eponymous officials Greek city states - named after eponymous officials

(Athens – archons)(Athens – archons) Rome – annually elected consuls – annalistic history Rome – annually elected consuls – annalistic history

(annales) inaugurated by Fabius Pictor(annales) inaugurated by Fabius Pictor