Polybius

203–120 BC

THE DESTRUCTION OF CARTHAGE

Polybius is one of the most important original sources for the early history of the Roman Republic. Although he was Greek by birth, and wrote in Greek, he lived among many of the most prominent Romans of his time. His Roman patrons were the Scipio family, who played a very prominent role in the Punic Wars, and Polybius himself was an eyewitness to the destruction of Carthage. In his youth Polybius's family was also very involved in Greek politics, especially the Achaean League. His family was on intimate terms with Philopoemen, the leader of the Achaean League. In 171 B.C. open war broke out between Rome and Perseus of Macedon, and Polybius recommended siding with Rome. After the Romans conquered Perseus at the battle of Pydna, in 168 B.C. Polybius and many of his friends were sent as hostages to Italy. Because Polybius had already befriended the Consul Aemilius Paulus, he was invited to go to Rome, and become the instructor of Paulus's sons, one of whom was later adopted into the Scipio family, and achieved great fame for conquering Carthage. This son of Aemilius, later known as Scipio Aemilius Africanus, became a lifelong friend of Polybius, and opened many doors for him within Roman society. Naturally, Polybius came to be very partial towards Rome, and most of his histories reflect a great fascination with the Roman culture and activities.

Polybius was sought after as an advisor by many well known Romans. He followed his friend Scipio Aemilius, by then elected consul to Africa, to help him prosecute the third Punic War. He was an eyewitness to the destruction of Carthage, and very soon after traveled to Corinth which was destroyed the same year as a result of an Achaean uprising. He worked to salvage some of the most important works of Greek art from the city, and negotiated for leniency and cooperation between his Achaean countrymen and their Roman conquerors. This was the end of his career in public life however. From that point on, he retired to Rome to write his forty-book, complete history of the Ancient world, for which he is best known.

Key events during the life of Polybius:

Year	Event
182 BC	On the death of Philopoemen, Polybius's father becomes head of Achaean League.
169 BC	Polybius advises cooperation with Rome, against Macedon.
168 BC	After battle of Pydna, Polybius is sent as a 'hostage' to Rome, but is protected by Paulus and Scipio families.
	Serves as tutor to sons of Aemilius Paulus; befriends Scipio Aemilius; becomes well connected in Rome.
151 BC	Returns briefly to Greece.
147 BC	Follows Scipio Aemilius, now a consul, to Carthage.
146 BC	Eyewitness to destruction of Carthage.
146 BC	Returns to Achaea to find Corinth has been destroyed. Intervenes to assure Achaean cooperation with conquerors.
	Wrote a forty-book complete history of the ancient world, much of which has been preserved.
120 BC	Died at age 82.

Other Resources

Story Links	Book Links
Lords of the World  in	Lords of the World  by  Alfred J. Church

Image Links
The city was given to the flames.  in The Story of Rome	Carthagian Women (Preparing for the Romans.)  in Old World Hero Stories

Contemporary	Short Biography
Philopoemen	Lead the Achaean League. Tried to unite Greeks, shortly before Greece fell to Rome.
Aemilius Paulus	Led Rome against Macedonia at the Battle of Pydna and was victorious.
Scipio the Younger	Led the siege of Carthage during the third Punic War.