When was Polybius born and where did he live?
Polybius was born around 200 BC in Megalopolis, Arcadia. This town stood as an active member of the Achaean League when he entered the world.
Questions about Polybius
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Why were Polybius and other Achaeans taken to Rome in 167 BC?
The Romans transported Polybius to their city in 167 along with 999 other Achaeans following the defeat of Perseus of Macedon. They detained him there for seventeen years after this military victory.
What time period does Polybius cover in his universal history?
Polybius wrote a universal history covering events from 264 BC to 146 BC. The work documents political and military affairs across Italy, Iberia, Greece, Macedonia, Syria, Egypt and Africa.
How did Polybius define the proper method for writing history?
Polybius held that historians should chronicle events whose participants they could interview directly. He began his history proper with the 140th Olympiad because remote past accounts amounted to hearsay.
What is the Polybius square cipher used for in Book X section 45?
Polybius developed a numerical system called the Polybius square mentioned in Histories Book X section 45. This tool allowed letters to be signaled easily using fire torches raised and lowered for long-range messages.