Polybius, Histories

Translation

Book 1 - Chapter 32

<w lemma="%2Aperi%5C">Περὶ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="kairou%5Cs">καιροὺς</w> <w lemma="tou%2Ftous">τούτους</w> <w lemma="kataplei%3D">καταπλεῖ</w> <w lemma="tis">τις</w> <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="%2Akarxhdo%2Fna">Καρχηδόνα</w> <w lemma="cenolo%2Fgos">ξενολόγος</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="a%29pestalme%2Fnwn">ἀπεσταλμένων</w> <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="%2A%28ella%2Fda">Ἑλλάδα</w> <w lemma="pro%2Fteron">πρότερον</w> [<w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="%2Akarxhdoni%2Fwn">Καρχηδονίων</w>], <w lemma="a%29%2Fgwn">ἄγων</w> <w lemma="stratiw%2Ftas">στρατιώτας</w> <w lemma="plei%2Fstous">πλείστους</w>, <w lemma="e%29n">ἐν</w> <w lemma="oi%28%3Ds">οἷς</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="%2Aca%2Fnqippo%2Fn">Ξάνθιππόν</w> <w lemma="tina">τινα</w> <w lemma="%2Alakedaimo%2Fnion">Λακεδαιμόνιον</w>, <w lemma="a%29%2Fndra">ἄνδρα</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="%2Alakwnikh%3Ds">Λακωνικῆς</w> <w lemma="a%29gwgh%3Ds">ἀγωγῆς</w> <w lemma="metesxhko%2Fta">μετεσχηκότα</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="tribh%5Cn">τριβὴν</w> <w lemma="e%29n">ἐν</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="polemikoi%3Ds">πολεμικοῖς</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fxonta">ἔχοντα</w> <w lemma="su%2Fmmetron">σύμμετρον</w>.

<w lemma="o%28%5Cs">ὃς</w> <w lemma="diakou%2Fsas">διακούσας</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="gegono%5Cs">γεγονὸς</w> <w lemma="e%29la%2Fttwma">ἐλάττωμα</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="pw%3Ds">πῶς</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="ti%2Fni">τίνι</w> <w lemma="tro%2Fpw%7C">τρόπῳ</w> <w lemma="ge%2Fgonen">γέγονεν</w>, <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="sunqewrh%2Fsas">συνθεωρήσας</w> <w lemma="ta%2Fs">τάς</w> <w lemma="te">τε</w> <w lemma="loipa%5Cs">λοιπὰς</w> <w lemma="paraskeua%5Cs">παρασκευὰς</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="%2Akarxhdoni%2Fwn">Καρχηδονίων</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="plh%3Dqos">πλῆθος</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="i%28ppe%2Fwn">ἱππέων</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="e%29lefa%2Fntwn">ἐλεφάντων</w> <w lemma="parauti%2Fka">παραυτίκα</w> <w lemma="sunelogi%2Fsato">συνελογίσατο</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="fi%2Flous">φίλους</w> <w lemma="e%29nefa%2Fnise">ἐνεφάνισε</w> <w lemma="dio%2Fti">διότι</w> <w lemma="sumbai%2Fnei">συμβαίνει</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="%2Akarxhdoni%2Fous">Καρχηδονίους</w> <w lemma="ou%29x">οὐχ</w> <w lemma="u%28po%5C">ὑπὸ</w> <w lemma="%2A%28rwmai%2Fwn">Ῥωμαίων</w>, <w lemma="au%29tou%5Cs">αὐτοὺς</w> <w lemma="d%27">δ᾽</w> <w lemma="u%28f%27">ὑφ᾽</w> <w lemma="au%28tw%3Dn">αὑτῶν</w> <w lemma="h%28tta%3Dsqai">ἡττᾶσθαι</w> <w lemma="dia%5C">διὰ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="a%29peiri%2Fan">ἀπειρίαν</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="h%28goume%2Fnwn">ἡγουμένων</w>.

<w lemma="taxu%5C">ταχὺ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="dia%5C">διὰ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="peri%2Fstasin">περίστασιν</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="%2Acanqi%2Fppou">Ξανθίππου</w> <w lemma="lo%2Fgwn">λόγων</w> <w lemma="diadoqe%2Fntwn">διαδοθέντων</w> <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="ta%5C">τὰ</w> <w lemma="plh%2Fqh">πλήθη</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="strathgou%2Fs">στρατηγούς</w>, <w lemma="e%29%2Fgnwsan">ἔγνωσαν</w> <w lemma="oi%28">οἱ</w> <w lemma="proestw%3Dtes">προεστῶτες</w> <w lemma="a%29nakalei%3Dsqai">ἀνακαλεῖσθαι</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="pei%3Dran">πεῖραν</w> <w lemma="au%29tou%3D">αὐτοῦ</w> <w lemma="lamba%2Fnein">λαμβάνειν</w>.

<w lemma="o%28">ὁ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="parageno%2Fmenos">παραγενόμενος</w> <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="xei%3Dras">χεῖρας</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Ffere">ἔφερε</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="a%29%2Frxousi">ἄρχουσι</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="a%29pologismou%5Cs">ἀπολογισμοὺς</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="para%5C">παρὰ</w> <w lemma="ti%2F">τί</w> <w lemma="nu%3Dn">νῦν</w> <w lemma="sfalei%2Fhsan">σφαλείησαν</w>, <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="dio%2Fti">διότι</w> <w lemma="peisqe%2Fntes">πεισθέντες</w> <w lemma="au%29tw%3D%7C">αὐτῷ</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="xrhsa%2Fmenoi">χρησάμενοι</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="e%29pipe%2Fdois">ἐπιπέδοις</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="to%2Fpwn">τόπων</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fn">ἔν</w> <w lemma="te">τε</w> <w lemma="tai%3Ds">ταῖς</w> <w lemma="porei%2Fais">πορείαις</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="stratopedei%2Fais">στρατοπεδείαις</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="parata%2Fcesin">παρατάξεσιν</w> <w lemma="eu%29xerw%3Ds">εὐχερῶς</w> <w lemma="e%28autoi%3Ds">ἑαυτοῖς</w> <w lemma="te">τε</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="a%29sfa%2Fleian">ἀσφάλειαν</w> <w lemma="dunh%2Fsontai">δυνήσονται</w> <w lemma="paraskeua%2Fzein">παρασκευάζειν</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="u%28penanti%2Fous">ὑπεναντίους</w> <w lemma="nika%3Dn">νικᾶν</w>.

<w lemma="oi%28">οἱ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="strathgoi%5C">στρατηγοὶ</w> <w lemma="deca%2Fmenoi">δεξάμενοι</w> <w lemma="ta%5C">τὰ</w> <w lemma="lego%2Fmena">λεγόμενα</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="peisqe%2Fntes">πεισθέντες</w> <w lemma="au%29tw%3D%7C">αὐτῷ</w> <w lemma="paraxrh%3Dma">παραχρῆμα</w> <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="duna%2Fmeis">δυνάμεις</w> <w lemma="e%29nexei%2Frisan">ἐνεχείρισαν</w>.

<w lemma="h%29%3Dn">ἦν</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="ou%29%3Dn">οὖν</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="kata%5C">κατὰ</w> <w lemma="tau%2Fthn">ταύτην</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="para%5C">παρὰ</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="%2Acanqi%2Fppou">Ξανθίππου</w> <w lemma="diadidome%2Fnhn">διαδιδομένην</w> <w lemma="fwnh%5Cn">φωνὴν</w> <w lemma="o%28">ὁ</w> <w lemma="qrou%3Ds">θροῦς</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="lalia%2F">λαλιά</w> <w lemma="tis">τις</w> <w lemma="eu%29%2Felpis">εὔελπις</w> <w lemma="para%5C">παρὰ</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="polloi%3Ds:">πολλοῖς·</w>

<w lemma="w%28s">ὡς</w> <w lemma="d%27">δ᾽</w> <w lemma="e%29cagagw%5Cn">ἐξαγαγὼν</w> <w lemma="pro%5C">πρὸ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="po%2Flews">πόλεως</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="du%2Fnamin">δύναμιν</w> <w lemma="e%29n">ἐν</w> <w lemma="ko%2Fsmw%7C">κόσμῳ</w> <w lemma="parene%2Fbale">παρενέβαλε</w> <w lemma="kai%2F">καί</w> <w lemma="ti">τι</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="kinei%3Dn">κινεῖν</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="merw%3Dn">μερῶν</w> <w lemma="e%29n">ἐν</w> <w lemma="ta%2Fcei">τάξει</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="paragge%2Fllein">παραγγέλλειν</w> <w lemma="kata%5C">κατὰ</w> <w lemma="no%2Fmous">νόμους</w> <w lemma="h%29%2Frcato">ἤρξατο</w>, <w lemma="thlikau%2Fthn">τηλικαύτην</w> <w lemma="e%29poi%2Fei">ἐποίει</w> <w lemma="diafora%5Cn">διαφορὰν</w> <w lemma="para%5C">παρὰ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="pro%2Fteron">πρότερον</w> <w lemma="strathgw%3Dn">στρατηγῶν</w> <w lemma="a%29peiri%2Fan">ἀπειρίαν</w> <w lemma="w%28%2Fste">ὥστε</w> <w lemma="meta%5C">μετὰ</w> <w lemma="kraugh%3Ds">κραυγῆς</w> <w lemma="e%29pishmai%2Fnesqai">ἐπισημαίνεσθαι</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="pollou%5Cs">πολλοὺς</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="speu%2Fdein">σπεύδειν</w> <w lemma="w%28s">ὡς</w> <w lemma="ta%2Fxista">τάχιστα</w> <w lemma="sumbalei%3Dn">συμβαλεῖν</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="polemi%2Fois">πολεμίοις</w>, <w lemma="pepeisme%2Fnous">πεπεισμένους</w> <w lemma="mhde%5Cn">μηδὲν</w> <w lemma="a%29%5Cn">ἂν</w> <w lemma="paqei%3Dn">παθεῖν</w> <w lemma="deino%5Cn">δεινὸν</w> <w lemma="h%28goume%2Fnou">ἡγουμένου</w> <w lemma="%2Acanqi%2Fppou">Ξανθίππου</w>.

<w lemma="tou%2Ftwn">τούτων</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="ginome%2Fnwn">γινομένων</w> <w lemma="oi%28">οἱ</w> <w lemma="strathgoi%5C">στρατηγοὶ</w> <w lemma="sunido%2Fntes">συνιδόντες</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="o%29%2Fxlous">ὄχλους</w> <w lemma="a%29nateqarrhko%2Ftas">ἀνατεθαρρηκότας</w> <w lemma="parado%2Fcws">παραδόξως</w> <w lemma="tai%3Ds">ταῖς</w> <w lemma="yuxai%3Ds">ψυχαῖς</w>, <w lemma="parakale%2Fsantes">παρακαλέσαντες</w> <w lemma="au%29tou%5Cs">αὐτοὺς</w> <w lemma="ta%5C">τὰ</w> <w lemma="pre%2Fponta">πρέποντα</w> <w lemma="tw%3D%7C">τῷ</w> <w lemma="kairw%3D%7C">καιρῷ</w> <w lemma="met%27">μετ᾽</w> <w lemma="o%29li%2Fgas">ὀλίγας</w> <w lemma="h%28me%2Fras">ἡμέρας</w> <w lemma="w%28%2Frmhsan">ὥρμησαν</w> <w lemma="a%29nalabo%2Fntes">ἀναλαβόντες</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="du%2Fnamin">δύναμιν</w>.

<w lemma="au%28%2Fth">αὕτη</w> <w lemma="d%27">δ᾽</w> <w lemma="h%29%3Dn">ἦν</w> <w lemma="pezoi%5C">πεζοὶ</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="muri%2Fous">μυρίους</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="disxili%2Fous">δισχιλίους</w>, <w lemma="i%28ppei%3Ds">ἱππεῖς</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="tetrakisxi%2Flioi">τετρακισχίλιοι</w>, <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="e%29lefa%2Fntwn">ἐλεφάντων</w> <w lemma="plh%3Dqos">πλῆθος</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fggista%2F">ἔγγιστά</w> <w lemma="pou">που</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="e%28kato%2Fn">ἑκατόν</w>.

Just about this time there arrived at <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Carthage&groupId=441&placeId=820">Carthage</a> one of the recruiting-officers they had formerly dispatched to Greece, bringing a considerable number of soldiers and among them a certain Xanthippus of Lacedaemon, a man who had been brought up in the Spartan discipline, and had had a fair amount of military experience.

On hearing of the recent reverse and how and in what way it occurred, and on taking a comprehensive view of the remaining resources of the Carthaginians and their strength in cavalry and elephants, he at once reached the conclusion and communicated it to friends that the Carthaginians owed their defeat not to the Romans but to themselves, through the inexperience of their generals.

Owing to the critical situation Xanthippus's remarks soon got abroad and reached the ears of the generals, whereupon the government decided to summon him before them and examine him.

He presented himself before them and communicated to them his estimate of the situation, pointing out why they were now being worsted, and urging that if they would take his advice and avail themselves of the level country for marching, encamping and offering battle they could easily not only secure their own safety, but defeat the enemy.

The generals, accepting what he said and resolving to follow his advice, at once entrusted their forces to him.

Now even when the original utterance of Xanthippus got abroad, it had caused considerable rumour and more or less sanguine talk among the populace,

but on his leading the army out and drawing it up in good order before the city and even beginning to manoeuvre some portions of it correctly and give the word of command in the orthodox military terms, the contrast to the incompetency of the former generals was so striking that the soldiery expressed their approval by cheers and were eager to engage the enemy, feeling sure that if Xanthippus was in command no disaster could befall them.

Upon this the generals, seeing the extraordinary recovery of courage among the troops, addressed them in words suitable to the occasion and after a few days took the field with their forces.

These consisted of twelve thousand foot, four thousand horse and very nearly a hundred elephants.

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).

1.32.9 - 1.32.9

Carthaginian numbers. An army of only 16,000 in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Africa&groupId=300&placeId=294">Africa</a> seems very small; and Philinus may have reduced the number to enhance <milestone unit="page" n="91">[91]</milestone> Xanthippus' victory (De Sanctis, iii. 1. 150–1 n. 13). The Roman tradition (Appian, Eutropius, Orosius) gives Regulus 30,000 to 32,000 men; but even with Libyans he can hardly have raised his 15,000 to more than 20,000.

Specifics

1.32.1 - 1.32.1

<emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">Ξάνθιππον . . . Λακεδαιμόνιον</w>:</emph> Diod. xxiii. 14. 1 calls him a Spartiate, which would fit the words <w lang="el-GR">τῆς Λακωνικῆς ἀγωγῆς μετεσχηκό?τα</w> (a training still admired, though its rigours were much diminished, Plut. Agis, 5); he was a mercenary (cf. Diod. xxiii. 15. 7), despite Eutropius (ii. 21. 4) and Appian (Lib. 3), who make him an ally sent by <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Sparta&groupId=660&placeId=1208">Sparta</a>, and Oros. iv. 9. 2, who calls him Lacedaemoniorum regem. For a useful summary of the history of Spartan mercenaries in the Hellenistic period see Launey, i. 113 ff.

1.32.5 - 1.32.5

<emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">αὐτῷ . . . τὰς δυνάμεις ἐνεχείρισαν</w>:</emph> Zon. viii. 13 describes him as <w lang="el-GR">τὴν αὐτοκράτορα . . . ἀρχὴν εἰληφάς</w>. But despite some ambiguity (e.g. 32. 7, <w lang="el-GR">τῶν πρότερον στρατηγῶν)</w> the generals did not (nor indeed could they) hand over an official command to Xanthippus.

1.32.8 - 1.32.8

<emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">μετ</w>f <w lang="el-GR">ὀλίγας ἡμέρας ὥ?ρμησαν</w>:</emph> the dating of Regulus' defeat and the subsequent Roman relief expedition have caused unnecessary difficulties. The consuls for 255 set sail <w lang="el-GR">τῆς θερείας ἀρχομένης</w> (36. 10); but as they stayed in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Africa&groupId=300&placeId=294">Africa</a> only long enough to pick up the survivors (36. 12 n.), and were wrecked 'between the risings of Orion and Sirius', i.e. in July (37. 4 n.), this expression must refer to a date not earlier than late May or early June (the same phrase is used very vaguely at v. 1. 3). News of Regulus' disaster reached <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a> before the fleet set out (36. 5); but it is quite possible that its fitting out was already advanced, since the Romans will hardly have intended leaving Regulus for the summer without supplies or reinforcements. Since a message could be in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a> from <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Carthage&groupId=441&placeId=820">Carthage</a> in three days (Plut. Cato mai. 27. 1), the battle can easily have been fought in early May, and news of it have reached <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a> in time for the sending of the fleet to look like an expedition of succour. With this chronology it is necessary neither to reject P.'s statement that the sending of the fleet followed news of the disaster (with De Sanctis, iii. 1. 258) nor to adopt with many scholars (Reuss, Phil., 1901, 108 ff.; 1909, 417; Gsell, iii. 90 n. 4; Mnzer, RE, 'Fulvius (97)', col. 269; Beloch, iv. 2. 288; Bung, 116) the improbable hypothesis that the expedition of relief was not sent until 254 (against this see the convincing arguments of De Sanctis, iii. 1. 257–60). The words <w lang="el-GR">ὥρᾳ καύμα τος</w> in App. Lib. 3 (in any case, an unreliable account) refer to the time of day, and not to the season of the disaster; and though there is substantial evidence for the prorogation of Regulus' command (Frontin. Strat. iv. 3. 3; Val. Max. iv. 4. 6; Sen. de ben. v. 3. 2; cons. ad Helv. 12. 5; auct. de uir. ill. 40), this might be granted well before the end of his year of office, and is no evidence for the date of his defeat.

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