Polybius, Histories

Translation

Book 1 - Chapter 31

<w lemma="%2Aoi%28">Οἱ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="%2Akarxhdo%2Fnioi">Καρχηδόνιοι</w> <w lemma="mikrw%3D%7C">μικρῷ</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="pro%2Fteron">πρότερον</w> <w lemma="kata%5C">κατὰ</w> <w lemma="qa%2Flattan">θάλατταν</w>, <w lemma="to%2Fte">τότε</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="kata%5C">κατὰ</w> <w lemma="gh%3Dn">γῆν</w> <w lemma="e%29ptaiko%2Ftes">ἐπταικότες</w>, <w lemma="ou%29">οὐ</w> <w lemma="dia%5C">διὰ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="pollw%3Dn">πολλῶν</w> <w lemma="a%29nandri%2Fan">ἀνανδρίαν</w>, <w lemma="a%29lla%5C">ἀλλὰ</w> <w lemma="dia%5C">διὰ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="h%28goume%2Fnwn">ἡγουμένων</w> <w lemma="a%29bouli%2Fan">ἀβουλίαν</w>, <w lemma="kata%5C">κατὰ</w> <w lemma="pa%2Fnta">πάντα</w> <w lemma="tro%2Fpon">τρόπον</w> <w lemma="e%29nepeptw%2Fkeisan">ἐνεπεπτώκεισαν</w> <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="dusxerh%3D">δυσχερῆ</w> <w lemma="dia%2Fqesin">διάθεσιν</w>.

<w lemma="a%28%2Fma">ἅμα</w> <w lemma="ga%5Cr">γὰρ</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="proeirhme%2Fnois">προειρημένοις</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="%2Anoma%2Fdwn">Νομάδων</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fqnos">ἔθνος</w> <w lemma="sunepitiqe%2Fmenon">συνεπιτιθέμενον</w> <w lemma="au%29toi%3Ds">αὐτοῖς</w> <w lemma="ou%29k">οὐκ</w> <w lemma="e%29la%2Fttw">ἐλάττω</w>, <w lemma="plei%2Fw">πλείω</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="%2A%28rwmai%2Fwn">Ῥωμαίων</w> <w lemma="ei%29rga%2Fzeto">εἰργάζετο</w> <w lemma="kaka%5C">κακὰ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="xw%2Fran">χώραν</w>.

<w lemma="e%29c">ἐξ</w> <w lemma="w%28%3Dn">ὧν</w> <w lemma="dia%5C">διὰ</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="fo%2Fbon">φόβον</w> <w lemma="sumfeugo%2Fntwn">συμφευγόντων</w> <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="po%2Flin">πόλιν</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="a%29po%5C">ἀπὸ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="xw%2Fras">χώρας</w> <w lemma="dusqumi%2Fa">δυσθυμία</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="limo%5Cs">λιμὸς</w> <w lemma="h%29%3Dn">ἦν</w> <w lemma="o%28losxerh%2Fs">ὁλοσχερής</w>, <w lemma="ta%5C">τὰ</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="dia%5C">διὰ</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="plh%3Dqos">πλῆθος</w>, <w lemma="ta%5C">τὰ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="dia%5C">διὰ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="prosdoki%2Fan">προσδοκίαν</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="poliorki%2Fas">πολιορκίας</w>.

<w lemma="o%28">ὁ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="%2Ama%2Frkos">Μάρκος</w> <w lemma="o%28rw%3Dn">ὁρῶν</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="%2Akarxhdoni%2Fous">Καρχηδονίους</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="kata%5C">κατὰ</w> <w lemma="gh%3Dn">γῆν</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="kata%5C">κατὰ</w> <w lemma="qa%2Flattan">θάλατταν</w> <w lemma="e%29sfalme%2Fnous">ἐσφαλμένους</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="nomi%2Fzwn">νομίζων</w> <w lemma="o%28%2Fson">ὅσον</w> <w lemma="ou%29%2Fpw">οὔπω</w> <w lemma="krath%2Fsein">κρατήσειν</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="po%2Flews">πόλεως</w>, <w lemma="a%29gwniw%3Dn">ἀγωνιῶν</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="mh%5C">μὴ</w> <w lemma="sumbh%3D%7C">συμβῇ</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="e%29piparagino%2Fmenon">ἐπιπαραγινόμενον</w> <w lemma="strathgo%5Cn">στρατηγὸν</w> <w lemma="e%29k">ἐκ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="%2A%28rw%2Fmhs">Ῥώμης</w> <w lemma="fqa%2Fsanta">φθάσαντα</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="e%29pigrafh%5Cn">ἐπιγραφὴν</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="pragma%2Ftwn">πραγμάτων</w> <w lemma="labei%3Dn">λαβεῖν</w>, <w lemma="proukalei%3Dto">προυκαλεῖτο</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="%2Akarxhdoni%2Fous">Καρχηδονίους</w> <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="dialu%2Fseis">διαλύσεις</w>.

<w lemma="oi%28">οἱ</w> <w lemma="d%27">δ᾽</w> <w lemma="a%29sme%2Fnws">ἀσμένως</w> <w lemma="a%29kou%2Fsantes">ἀκούσαντες</w> <w lemma="e%29ce%2Fpemyan">ἐξέπεμψαν</w> <w lemma="au%28tw%3Dn">αὑτῶν</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="prw%2Ftous">πρώτους</w> <w lemma="a%29%2Fndras:">ἄνδρας·</w> <w lemma="oi%28%5C">οἳ</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="summi%2Fcantes">συμμίξαντες</w> <w lemma="au%29tw%3D%7C">αὐτῷ</w> <w lemma="tosou%3Dton">τοσοῦτον</w> <w lemma="a%29pe%2Fsxon">ἀπέσχον</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="r%28e%2Fpein">ῥέπειν</w> <w lemma="tai%3Ds">ταῖς</w> <w lemma="gnw%2Fmais">γνώμαις</w> <w lemma="e%29pi%5C">ἐπὶ</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="poiei%3Dn">ποιεῖν</w> <w lemma="ti">τι</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="legome%2Fnwn">λεγομένων</w> <w lemma="w%28%2Fst%27">ὥστ᾽</w> <w lemma="ou%29d%27">οὐδ᾽</w> <w lemma="a%29kou%2Fontes">ἀκούοντες</w> <w lemma="u%28pome%2Fnein">ὑπομένειν</w> <w lemma="e%29du%2Fnanto">ἐδύναντο</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="ba%2Fros">βάρος</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="e%29pitagma%2Ftwn">ἐπιταγμάτων</w>.

<w lemma="o%28">ὁ</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="ga%5Cr">γὰρ</w> <w lemma="%2Ama%2Frkos">Μάρκος</w> <w lemma="w%28s">ὡς</w> <w lemma="h%29%2Fdh">ἤδη</w> <w lemma="kekrathkw%5Cs">κεκρατηκὼς</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="o%28%2Flwn">ὅλων</w>, <w lemma="o%28%2F">ὅ</w> <w lemma="ti">τι</w> <w lemma="pote%5C">ποτὲ</w> <w lemma="sunexw%2Frei">συνεχώρει</w>, <w lemma="pa%3Dn">πᾶν</w> <w lemma="w%29%2F%7Ceto">ᾤετο</w> <w lemma="dei%3Dn">δεῖν</w> <w lemma="au%29tou%5Cs">αὐτοὺς</w> <w lemma="e%29n">ἐν</w> <w lemma="xa%2Friti">χάριτι</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="dwrea%3D%7C">δωρεᾷ</w> <w lemma="lamba%2Fnein:">λαμβάνειν·</w>

<w lemma="oi%28">οἱ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="%2Akarxhdo%2Fnioi">Καρχηδόνιοι</w> <w lemma="qewrou%3Dntes">θεωροῦντες</w> <w lemma="o%28%2Fti">ὅτι</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="genome%2Fnois">γενομένοις</w> <w lemma="au%29toi%3Ds">αὐτοῖς</w> <w lemma="u%28poxeiri%2Fois">ὑποχειρίοις</w> <w lemma="ou%29de%5Cn">οὐδὲν</w> <w lemma="a%29%5Cn">ἂν</w> <w lemma="sunecakolouqh%2Fsai">συνεξακολουθήσαι</w> <w lemma="baru%2Fteron">βαρύτερον</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="to%2Fte">τότε</w> <w lemma="prostagma%2Ftwn">προσταγμάτων</w>, <w lemma="ou%29">οὐ</w> <w lemma="mo%2Fnon">μόνον</w> <w lemma="dusaresth%2Fsantes">δυσαρεστήσαντες</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="proteinome%2Fnois">προτεινομένοις</w> <w lemma="e%29panh%3Dlqon">ἐπανῆλθον</w>, <w lemma="a%29lla%5C">ἀλλὰ</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="prosko%2Fyantes">προσκόψαντες</w> <w lemma="th%3D%7C">τῇ</w> <w lemma="baru%2Fthti">βαρύτητι</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="%2Ama%2Frkou">Μάρκου</w>.

<w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="sune%2Fdrion">συνέδριον</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="%2Akarxhdoni%2Fwn">Καρχηδονίων</w> <w lemma="diakou%3Dsan">διακοῦσαν</w> <w lemma="ta%5C">τὰ</w> <w lemma="proteino%2Fmena">προτεινόμενα</w> <w lemma="para%5C">παρὰ</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="strathgou%3D">στρατηγοῦ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="%2A%28rwmai%2Fwn">Ῥωμαίων</w>, <w lemma="kai%2Fper">καίπερ</w> <w lemma="sxedo%5Cn">σχεδὸν</w> <w lemma="a%29pegnwko%5Cs">ἀπεγνωκὸς</w> <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="swthri%2Fas">σωτηρίας</w> <w lemma="e%29lpi%2Fdas">ἐλπίδας</w>, <w lemma="o%28%2Fmws">ὅμως</w> <w lemma="ou%28%2Ftws">οὕτως</w> <w lemma="a%29ndrwdw%3Ds">ἀνδρωδῶς</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fsth">ἔστη</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="gennai%2Fws">γενναίως</w> <w lemma="w%28%2Fste">ὥστε</w> <w lemma="pa%3Dn">πᾶν</w> <w lemma="u%28pome%2Fnein">ὑπομένειν</w> <w lemma="ei%28%2Fleto">εἵλετο</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="panto%5Cs">παντὸς</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Frgou">ἔργου</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="kairou%3D">καιροῦ</w> <w lemma="pei%3Dran">πεῖραν</w> <w lemma="lamba%2Fnein">λαμβάνειν</w> <w lemma="e%29f%27">ἐφ᾽</w> <w lemma="w%28%3D%7C">ᾧ</w> <w lemma="mhde%5Cn">μηδὲν</w> <w lemma="a%29genne%5Cs">ἀγεννὲς</w> <w lemma="mhd%27">μηδ᾽</w> <w lemma="a%29na%2Fcion">ἀνάξιον</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="pro%5C">πρὸ</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="pra%2Fcewn">πράξεων</w> <w lemma="u%28pomei%3Dnai">ὑπομεῖναι</w>.

The Carthaginians, having thus been twice defeated, shortly before at sea and now on land, in both cases owing to no lack of bravery in their troops, but owing to the incompetence of their commanders, had now fallen into a thoroughly difficult position.

For, in addition to the misfortunes I have mentioned, the Numidians, attacking them at the same time as the Romans, inflicted not less but even more damage on the country than the latter.

The terror-stricken inhabitants took refuge in the city of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Carthage&groupId=441&placeId=820">Carthage</a> where utter despondency and extreme famine prevailed, the latter owing to overcrowding and the former owing to the expectation of a siege.

Regulus, perceiving that the Carthaginians were utterly worsted both by land and sea and expecting to capture the city in a very short time, was yet apprehensive lest his successor in the Consulate should arrive from <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a> before <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Carthage&groupId=441&placeId=820">Carthage</a> fell and receive the credit of the success, and he therefore invited the enemy to enter into negotiations.

The Carthaginians gave a ready ear to these advances, and sent out an embassy of their leading citizens. On meeting Regulus, however, the envoys were so far from being inclined to yield to the conditions he proposed that they could not even bear listening to the severity of his demands.

For, imagining himself to be complete master of the situation, he considered they ought to regard any concessions on his part as gifts and acts of grace.

As it was evident to the Carthaginians that even if they became subject to the Romans, they could be in no worse case than if they yielded to the present demands, they returned not only dissatisfied with the conditions proposed but offended by Regulus's harshness.

The attitude of the Carthaginian Senate on hearing the Roman general's proposals was, although they had almost abandoned all hope of safety, yet one of such manly dignity that rather than submit to anything ignoble or unworthy of their past they were willing to suffer anything and to face every exertion and every extremity.

Walbank Commentary

Overview

1.12.0 - 1.64.0

The First Punic War

1.29.0 - 1.34.0

Regulus in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Africa&groupId=300&placeId=294">Africa</a>: in contrast to 29, which is written from the Roman point of view, and probably comes from Fabius, chs. 30– 34 seem to follow Philinus almost exclusively, as can be seen from a comparison with Diodorus, from the stress on the Carthaginian point of view, and from the exaltation of Xanthippus, a Greek (like Philinus) in Punic service. Cf. De Sanctis, iii. 1. 226–7; Bung, 111–15 (contra Laqueur, RE, 'Philinus', col. 2186, who argues for contamination of Fabius and Philinus).

Specifics

1.31.4 - 1.31.4

<emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">ἀγωνιῶν . . . μὴ συμβῇ κτλ</w>.:</emph> the motivation here contradicts that in the rest of the tradition. Here Regulus takes the initiative with peace terms, lest he be superseded; elsewhere it is unanimously stated that the Carthaginians took the initiative from weariness (Oros. iv. 9. 1; Zon. viii. 13; Diod. xxiii. 12. 1), and that Regulus' command was prolonged against his wishes (Livy, ep. 18; Frontin. Strat. iv. 3. 3; Val. Max. iv. 4. 6). The latter statement is probably part of the Regulus saga; but the harshness of the terms offered by Regulus suggests that the Carthaginians did in fact make the offer, and this version, which is in Diodorus, was probably that of Philinus. P.'s stress on Regulus' fear of supersession may come from Fabius (De Sanctis, iii. 1. 227; Gelzer, Hermes, 1933, 140 n. 2, who compares ii. 27. 5, 34. 1 (not a good parallel), and Livy, viii. 30. 9), or may indeed be a general deduction from similar situations of which he was cognizant (e.g. that of Flamininus, xviii. 11. 2); Zon. viii. 17 attributes the same motives to Catulus in 241; and indeed the situation was inherent in a system of annual commands. T. Frank (CAH, vii. 683) offers a pretty example of compromise: 'he announced his readiness to receive offers of peace.' On the phrase <w lang="el-GR">τὴν ἐπιγραφὴν τῶν πραγμάτων</w> see ii. 2. 9 n. <emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">τὸ βάρος τῶν ἐπιταγμάτων</w>:</emph> according to Dio, fg. 43. 22–23 (who alone records them), they required the payment of an indemnity, the surrender of Roman and ransoming of Punic prisoners, and also the evacuation of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Sicily&groupId=973&placeId=1724">Sicily</a> and <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Sardinia&groupId=947&placeId=1685">Sardinia</a>, the signing of a foedus iniquum, the surrender of the whole Punic fleet but for one ship, and an undertaking to furnish a squadron of fifty vessels for <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a> at any time upon demand. This version is accepted by Meltzer (ii. 299, 570–1), Arnold (Oorzaak, 71), and Frank (CAH, vii. 683, 'Dio's account may be correct, and as such a fair commentary on the consul's stupidity'); but (a) it is not clear by what channel Dio could have obtained a faithful record, (b) if the annexation of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Sardinia&groupId=947&placeId=1685">Sardinia</a> was envisaged in 256, its omission from the Treaty of Catulus is odd (62. 8– 63. 3). Hence Dio's account is probably to be rejected. The harsh terms are also mentioned by Diod. xxiii. 12. 15; Eutrop. ii. 21. 4; Oros. iv. 9. 1; Zon. viii. 13. In fact a successful outcome at this stage was ruled out, since the Romans were bound to demand, and the Carthaginians bound to reject, the evacuation of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Sicily&groupId=973&placeId=1724">Sicily</a>. <milestone unit="page" n="90">[90]</milestone>

1.31.8 - 1.31.8

<emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">ἀνδρωδῶς . . . καὶ γενναίως</w>:</emph> this praise of the Carthaginian <w lang="el-GR">συνέδριον</w> (on which see 21. 6 n.) reveals the source, Philinus (cf. 14. 3).

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