Polybius, Histories

Layout
Translation

Book 6 - Chapter 6

1
<w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="e%29nanti%2Fwn">ἐναντίων</w> <w lemma="tou%2Ftois">τούτοις</w>. <w lemma="o%28">ὁ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="tro%2Fpos">τρόπος</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="a%29rxh%3Ds">ἀρχῆς</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="gene%2Fsews">γενέσεως</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="ei%29rhme%2Fnwn">εἰρημένων</w> <w lemma="toio%2Fsde">τοιόσδε</w>.
2
<w lemma="pa%2Fntwn">πάντων</w> <w lemma="ga%5Cr">γὰρ</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="sunousi%2Fas">συνουσίας</w> <w lemma="o%28rmw%2Fntwn">ὁρμώντων</w> <w lemma="kata%5C">κατὰ</w> <w lemma="fu%2Fsin">φύσιν</w>, <w lemma="e%29k">ἐκ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="tou%2Ftwn">τούτων</w> <w lemma="paidopoii%2Fas">παιδοποιίας</w> <w lemma="a%29poteloume%2Fnhs">ἀποτελουμένης</w>, <w lemma="o%28po%2Fte">ὁπότε</w> <w lemma="tis">τις</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="e%29ktrafe%2Fntwn">ἐκτραφέντων</w> <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="h%28liki%2Fan">ἡλικίαν</w> <w lemma="i%28ko%2Fmenos">ἱκόμενος</w> <w lemma="mh%5C">μὴ</w> <w lemma="ne%2Fmoi">νέμοι</w> <w lemma="xa%2Frin">χάριν</w> <w lemma="mhd%27">μηδ᾽</w> <w lemma="a%29mu%2Fnai">ἀμύναι</w> <w lemma="tou%2Ftois">τούτοις</w> <w lemma="oi%28%3Ds">οἷς</w> <w lemma="e%29ktre%2Ffoit%27">ἐκτρέφοιτ᾽</w>, <w lemma="a%29lla%2F">ἀλλά</w> <w lemma="pou">που</w> <w lemma="ta%29nanti%2Fa">τἀναντία</w> <w lemma="kakw%3Ds">κακῶς</w> <w lemma="le%2Fgein">λέγειν</w> <w lemma="h%29%5C">ἢ</w> <w lemma="dra%3Dn">δρᾶν</w> <w lemma="tou%2Ftous">τούτους</w> <w lemma="e%29gxeiroi%2Fh">ἐγχειροίη</w>,
3
<w lemma="dh%3Dlon">δῆλον</w> <w lemma="w%28s">ὡς</w> <w lemma="dusarestei%3Dn">δυσαρεστεῖν</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="prosko%2Fptein">προσκόπτειν</w> <w lemma="ei%29ko%5Cs">εἰκὸς</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="suno%2Fntas">συνόντας</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="sunido%2Fntas">συνιδόντας</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="gegenhme%2Fnhn">γεγενημένην</w> <w lemma="e%29k">ἐκ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="gennhsa%2Fntwn">γεννησάντων</w> <w lemma="e%29pime%2Fleian">ἐπιμέλειαν</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="kakopa%2Fqeian">κακοπάθειαν</w> <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="ta%5C">τὰ</w> <w lemma="te%2Fkna">τέκνα</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="tou%2Ftwn">τούτων</w> <w lemma="qerapei%2Fan">θεραπείαν</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="trofh%2Fn">τροφήν</w>.
4
<w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="ga%5Cr">γὰρ</w> <w lemma="ge%2Fnous">γένους</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="a%29nqrw%2Fpwn">ἀνθρώπων</w> <w lemma="tau%2Fth%7C">ταύτῃ</w> <w lemma="diafe%2Frontos">διαφέροντος</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="a%29%2Fllwn">ἄλλων</w> <w lemma="zw%2F%7Cwn">ζῴων</w>, <w lemma="h%28%3D%7C">ᾗ</w> <w lemma="mo%2Fnois">μόνοις</w> <w lemma="au%29toi%3Ds">αὐτοῖς</w> <w lemma="me%2Ftesti">μέτεστι</w> <w lemma="nou%3D">νοῦ</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="logismou%3D">λογισμοῦ</w>, <w lemma="fanero%5Cn">φανερὸν</w> <w lemma="w%28s">ὡς</w> <w lemma="ou%29k">οὐκ</w> <w lemma="ei%29ko%5Cs">εἰκὸς</w> <w lemma="paratre%2Fxein">παρατρέχειν</w> <w lemma="au%29tou%5Cs">αὐτοὺς</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="proeirhme%2Fnhn">προειρημένην</w> <w lemma="diafora%2Fn">διαφοράν</w>, <w lemma="kaqa%2Fper">καθάπερ</w> <w lemma="e%29pi%5C">ἐπὶ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="a%29%2Fllwn">ἄλλων</w> <w lemma="zw%2F%7Cwn">ζῴων</w>,
5
<w lemma="a%29ll%27">ἀλλ᾽</w> <w lemma="e%29pishmai%2Fnesqai">ἐπισημαίνεσθαι</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="gino%2Fmenon">γινόμενον</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="dusarestei%3Dsqai">δυσαρεστεῖσθαι</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="parou%3Dsi">παροῦσι</w>, <w lemma="proorwme%2Fnous">προορωμένους</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="me%2Fllon">μέλλον</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="sullogizome%2Fnous">συλλογιζομένους</w> <w lemma="o%28%2Fti">ὅτι</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="paraplh%2Fsion">παραπλήσιον</w> <w lemma="e%28ka%2Fstois">ἑκάστοις</w> <w lemma="au%29tw%3Dn">αὐτῶν</w> <w lemma="sugkurh%2Fsei">συγκυρήσει</w>.
6
<w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="mh%5Cn">μὴν</w> <w lemma="o%28%2Ftan">ὅταν</w> <w lemma="pou">που</w> <w lemma="pa%2Flin">πάλιν</w> <w lemma="a%28%2Fteros">ἅτερος</w> <w lemma="u%28po%5C">ὑπὸ</w> <w lemma="qate%2Frou">θατέρου</w> <w lemma="tuxw%5Cn">τυχὼν</w> <w lemma="e%29pikouri%2Fas">ἐπικουρίας</w> <w lemma="h%29%5C">ἢ</w> <w lemma="bohqei%2Fas">βοηθείας</w> <w lemma="e%29n">ἐν</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="deinoi%3Ds">δεινοῖς</w> <w lemma="mh%5C">μὴ</w> <w lemma="ne%2Fmh%7C">νέμῃ</w> <w lemma="tw%3D%7C">τῷ</w> <w lemma="sw%2Fsanti">σώσαντι</w> <w lemma="xa%2Frin">χάριν</w>, <w lemma="a%29lla%2F">ἀλλά</w> <w lemma="pote">ποτε</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="bla%2Fptein">βλάπτειν</w> <w lemma="e%29gxeirh%3D%7C">ἐγχειρῇ</w> <w lemma="tou%3Dton">τοῦτον</w>, <w lemma="fanero%5Cn">φανερὸν</w> <w lemma="w%28s">ὡς</w> <w lemma="ei%29ko%5Cs">εἰκὸς</w> <w lemma="tw%3D%7C">τῷ</w> <w lemma="toiou%2Ftw%7C">τοιούτῳ</w> <w lemma="dusarestei%3Dsqai">δυσαρεστεῖσθαι</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="prosko%2Fptein">προσκόπτειν</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="ei%29do%2Ftas">εἰδότας</w>, <w lemma="sunaganaktou%3Dntas">συναγανακτοῦντας</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="tw%3D%7C">τῷ</w> <w lemma="pe%2Flas">πέλας</w>, <w lemma="a%29nafe%2Frontas">ἀναφέροντας</w> <w lemma="d%27">δ᾽</w> <w lemma="e%29f%27">ἐφ᾽</w> <w lemma="au%28tou%5Cs">αὑτοὺς</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="paraplh%2Fsion">παραπλήσιον</w>.
7
<w lemma="e%29c">ἐξ</w> <w lemma="w%28%3Dn">ὧν</w> <w lemma="u%28pogi%2Fnetai%2F">ὑπογίνεταί</w> <w lemma="tis">τις</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fnnoia">ἔννοια</w> <w lemma="par%27">παρ᾽</w> <w lemma="e%28ka%2Fstw%7C">ἑκάστῳ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="kaqh%2Fkontos">καθήκοντος</w> <w lemma="duna%2Fmews">δυνάμεως</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="qewri%2Fas:">θεωρίας·</w> <w lemma="o%28%2Fper">ὅπερ</w> <w lemma="e%29sti%5Cn">ἐστὶν</w> <w lemma="a%29rxh%5C">ἀρχὴ</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="te%2Flos">τέλος</w> <w lemma="dikaiosu%2Fnhs">δικαιοσύνης</w>.
8
<w lemma="o%28moi%2Fws">ὁμοίως</w> <w lemma="pa%2Flin">πάλιν</w> <w lemma="o%28%2Ftan">ὅταν</w> <w lemma="a%29mu%2Fnh%7C">ἀμύνῃ</w> <w lemma="me%2Fn">μέν</w> <w lemma="tis">τις</w> <w lemma="pro%5C">πρὸ</w> <w lemma="pa%2Fntwn">πάντων</w> <w lemma="e%29n">ἐν</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="deinoi%3Ds">δεινοῖς</w>, <w lemma="u%28fi%2Fsthtai">ὑφίστηται</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="me%2Fnh%7C">μένῃ</w> <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="e%29pifora%5Cs">ἐπιφορὰς</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="a%29lkimwta%2Ftwn">ἀλκιμωτάτων</w> <w lemma="zw%2F%7Cwn">ζῴων</w>, <w lemma="ei%29ko%5Cs">εἰκὸς</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="toiou%3Dton">τοιοῦτον</w> <w lemma="u%28po%5C">ὑπὸ</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="plh%2Fqous">πλήθους</w> <w lemma="e%29pishmasi%2Fas">ἐπισημασίας</w> <w lemma="tugxa%2Fnein">τυγχάνειν</w> <w lemma="eu%29noi+kh%3Ds">εὐνοϊκῆς</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="prostatikh%3Ds">προστατικῆς</w>, <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="ta%29nanti%2Fa">τἀναντία</w> <w lemma="tou%2Ftw%7C">τούτῳ</w> <w lemma="pra%2Fttonta">πράττοντα</w> <w lemma="katagnw%2Fsews">καταγνώσεως</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="proskoph%3Ds">προσκοπῆς</w>.
9
<w lemma="e%29c">ἐξ</w> <w lemma="ou%28%3D">οὗ</w> <w lemma="pa%2Flin">πάλιν</w> <w lemma="eu%29%2Flogon">εὔλογον</w> <w lemma="u%28pogi%2Fnesqai%2F">ὑπογίνεσθαί</w> <w lemma="tina">τινα</w> <w lemma="qewri%2Fan">θεωρίαν</w> <w lemma="para%5C">παρὰ</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="polloi%3Ds">πολλοῖς</w> <w lemma="ai%29sxrou%3D">αἰσχροῦ</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="kalou%3D">καλοῦ</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="tou%2Ftwn">τούτων</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="a%29%2Fllhla">ἄλληλα</w> <w lemma="diafora%3Ds">διαφορᾶς</w>, <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="zh%2Flou">ζήλου</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="mimh%2Fsews">μιμήσεως</w> <w lemma="tugxa%2Fnein">τυγχάνειν</w> <w lemma="dia%5C">διὰ</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="sumfe%2Fron">συμφέρον</w>, <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="fugh%3Ds">φυγῆς</w>.
10
<w lemma="e%29n">ἐν</w> <w lemma="oi%28%3Ds">οἷς</w> <w lemma="o%28%2Ftan">ὅταν</w> <w lemma="o%28">ὁ</w> <w lemma="proestw%5Cs">προεστὼς</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="megi%2Fsthn">μεγίστην</w> <w lemma="du%2Fnamin">δύναμιν</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fxwn">ἔχων</w> <w lemma="a%29ei%5C">ἀεὶ</w> <w lemma="sunepisxu%2Fh%7C">συνεπισχύῃ</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="proeirhme%2Fnois">προειρημένοις</w> <w lemma="kata%5C">κατὰ</w> <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="pollw%3Dn">πολλῶν</w> <w lemma="dialh%2Fyeis">διαλήψεις</w>, <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="do%2Fch%7C">δόξῃ</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="u%28potattome%2Fnois">ὑποταττομένοις</w> <w lemma="dianemhtiko%5Cs">διανεμητικὸς</w> <w lemma="ei%29%3Dnai">εἶναι</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="kat%27">κατ᾽</w> <w lemma="a%29ci%2Fan">ἀξίαν</w> <w lemma="e%28ka%2Fstois">ἑκάστοις</w>,
11
<w lemma="ou%29ke%2Fti">οὐκέτι</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="bi%2Fan">βίαν</w> <w lemma="dedio%2Ftes">δεδιότες</w>, <w lemma="th%3D%7C">τῇ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="gnw%2Fmh%7C">γνώμῃ</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="plei%3Don">πλεῖον</w> <w lemma="eu%29dokou%3Dntes">εὐδοκοῦντες</w>, <w lemma="u%28pota%2Fttontai">ὑποτάττονται</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="sussw%2F%7Czousi">συσσῴζουσι</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="a%29rxh%5Cn">ἀρχὴν</w> <w lemma="au%29tou%3D">αὐτοῦ</w>, <w lemma="ka%29%5Cn">κἂν</w> <w lemma="o%28%2Flws">ὅλως</w> <w lemma="h%29%3D%7C">ᾖ</w> <w lemma="ghraio%2Fs">γηραιός</w>, <w lemma="o%28moqumado%5Cn">ὁμοθυμαδὸν</w> <w lemma="e%29pamu%2Fnontes">ἐπαμύνοντες</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="diagwnizo%2Fmenoi">διαγωνιζόμενοι</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="e%29pibouleu%2Fontas">ἐπιβουλεύοντας</w> <w lemma="au%29tou%3D">αὐτοῦ</w> <w lemma="th%3D%7C">τῇ</w> <w lemma="dunastei%2Fa%7C">δυναστείᾳ</w>.
12
<w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="dh%5C">δὴ</w> <w lemma="tw%3D%7C">τῷ</w> <w lemma="toiou%2Ftw%7C">τοιούτῳ</w> <w lemma="tro%2Fpw%7C">τρόπῳ</w> <w lemma="basileu%5Cs">βασιλεὺς</w> <w lemma="e%29k">ἐκ</w> <w lemma="mona%2Frxou">μονάρχου</w> <w lemma="lanqa%2Fnei">λανθάνει</w> <w lemma="geno%2Fmenos">γενόμενος</w>, <w lemma="o%28%2Ftan">ὅταν</w> <w lemma="para%5C">παρὰ</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="qumou%3D">θυμοῦ</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="i%29sxu%2Fos">ἰσχύος</w> <w lemma="metala%2Fbh%7C">μεταλάβῃ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="h%28ge">ἡγε</w>
The manner in which these notions come into being is as follows.
Men being all naturally inclined to sexual intercourse, and the consequence of this being the birth of children, whenever one of those who have been reared does not on growing up show gratitude to those who reared him or defend them, but on the contrary takes to speaking ill of them or ill treating them, it is evident that he will displease and offend those who have been familiar with his parents and have witnessed the care and pains they spent on attending to and feeding their children.
For seeing that men are distinguished from the other animals by possessing the faculty of reason, it is obviously improbable that such a difference of conduct should escape them, as it escapes the other animals:
they will notice the thing and be displeased at what is going on, looking to the future and reflecting that they may all meet with the same treatment.
Again when a man who has been helped or succoured when in danger by another does not show gratitude to his preserver, but even goes to the length of attempting to do him injury, it is clear that those who become aware of it will naturally be displeased and offended by such conduct, sharing the resentment of their injured neighbour and imagining themselves in the same situation.
From all this there arises in everyone a notion of the meaning and theory of duty, which is the beginning and end of justice.
Similarly, again, when any man is foremost in defending his fellows from danger, and braves and awaits the onslaught of the most powerful beasts, it is natural that he should receive marks of favour and honour from the people, while the man who acts in the opposite manner will meet with reprobation and dislike.
From this again some idea of what is base and what is noble and of what constitutes the difference is likely to arise among the people; and noble conduct will be admired and imitated because it is advantageous, while base conduct will be avoided.
Now when the leading and most powerful man among the people always throws the weight of his authority on the side of the notions on such matters which generally prevail, and when in the opinion of his subjects he apportions rewards and penalties according to desert, they yield obedience to him no longer because they fear his force, but rather because their judgement approves him; and they join in maintaining his rule even if he is quite enfeebled by age, defending him with one consent and battling against those who conspire to overthrow his rule.
Thus by insensible degrees the monarch becomes a king, ferocity and force having yielded the supremacy to reason.