Polybius

‘But from this time forth history becomes a connected whole’: state expansion and the origins of universal history

“…23 Frank Walbank argues that one of Polybius' principal reasons in deciding to write history at all was 'to assert his own view of what history should be against the sort of history which was widely written and read in the Hellenistic age'. 24 In particular, Polybius is critical of the limited and narrow process of inductive reasoning, the idea that one can obtain 'a competent view of universal from episodical history'. 25 While some idea of the whole might be obtained from the part, 'clear comprehension' can not: 'And of this we cannot obtain a comprehensive view from writers of mere episodes.…”

“…26 Polybius offered an alternative method, which Walbank simply describes as 'history on a large canvas'. 27 As Polybius put it: 'It is only by the combination and comparison of the separate parts of the whole -by observing their likeness and their difference -that a man can attain his object; can obtain a view at once clear and complete.' 28 Once Polybius' aim of writing the history of the unification of the oikoumene ('the whole [civilized] world' 29 ) under Roman hegemony becomes clear, one must ask to what extent he was tempted to manipulate his recounting of events to further project the idea of the unity of the historical composition.…”

“…37 In Walbank's assessment: 'In doing this he not only justified his method, he also produced a highly sophisticated version of the historians' traditional boast that his theme was inherently greater and more important than that of any of his predecessors.' 38 Polybius then applied this organic concept of history to the detailed accounting of the course of the Punic Wars by using what could almost be described as a cinematographic technique. In a recent article, François Hartog also describes Polybius' approach as 'synoptic', arguing that in offering this broad view the historian might have been influenced by contemporary dramatic theory, which becomes the basis for articulating the interdependency of historical events.…”

Кобниот Совет На Агелај

“…Ако претходнава анализа е правилна, тогаш тоа само уште еднаш го потврдува заклучокот на Волбанк кој одамна покажа дека кога станува збор за Македонија и политиката на македонските кралеви, Полибиј често не е способен правилно да ги процени нивните цели и мотиви. 35…”

The baneful advice of Agelaos

“…If the above analysis was correct, it just proves once again Walbank's conclusion who showed long ago that when it comes to Macedonia and the policy of the kings, Polybios is often unable to properly assess their goals and motives. 35…”