Polybios: Life and Work Under the Spell of Rome

Without Polybios, no account of the history of the Mediterranean world from the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC would be possible at this level. Almost the entire historiographical tradition - as far as it is reliable - somehow goes back to Polybios. It is impossible to avoid dealing with this author, who lived through many of the events he writes about between 200 and 122 BC. In addition, the politician and historian also provides an insight into his "workshop" allowing for a differentiated study of his historiographical principles. He constantly problematises the historical value of the sources. Independent documents confirm his account. Hence, it is not surprising that Polybios' work has a great impact. To this day, it can be considered a textbook for political actors and interested parties.