|  | | Polybius | | | | Civilization: | Greek: Megalopolis | | Era: | Greco-Roman | | 203–120 BC | Field of Renown: | literature: Historian |
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The destruction of Carthage
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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. |
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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. |
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Wrote a forty-book complete history of the ancient world, much of which has been preserved. |
| 120 BC |
Died at age 82. |
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| Lords of the World in |
Lords of the World by Church |
| 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. |
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The city was given to the flames. 
Carthagian Women (Preparing for the Romans.)