• The first new translation for over thirty years of Polybius' Histories, the major source for our knowledge of Rome's rise to world power and her method of rule in the years 220-146 BC, including the Second Punic War, the defeat of Hannibal and Rome's victories in the Mediterranean.
• Includes the only five books to survive in their entirety, plus all the fragmentary Books 6 and 12, an account of the Roman constitution and an analysis of how to write history (and how not to write it).
• Robin Waterfield's fresh translation makes Polybius accessible to a new generation of readers and students.
• Brian McGing's lucid introduction discusses the period covered by the Histories, Polybius' major role in the reconstruction of Greece after the defeat of the Achaean League, the themes and subject matter of the individual books, and Polybius' historical theory and method and significance for historiography.
• Includes succinct, clear notes, maps, glossary, index of proper names.

 
'no one else in our times has attempted to write a universal history'

Polybius' ambitious goal was to describe how Rome conquered the Mediterranean world in less than fifty-three years. This great study of imperialism takes the reader back to Rome's first encounter with Carthage in 264 and forward to her destruction of that renowned city in 146. Polybius, himself a leading Greek politician of the time, emphasizes the importance of practical experience for the writing of political history as well as the critical assessment of all the evidence. He attributes Rome's success to the greatness of its constitution and the character of its people, but also allows Fortune a role in designing the shape of world events.

This new translation by Robin Waterfield, the first for over thirty years, includes the first five books in their entirety, and all of the fragmentary Books 6 and 12, containing Polybius' account of the Roman constitution and his outspoken views on how (and how not) to write history. Brian McGing's accompanying introduction and notes illuminate this remarkable political history. 
 
 
REVIEWS:

"...this new translation of Polybius will be a valuable resource for teachers and students of Polybius and Roman history. The authors deserve no small praise for permitting one of the most highly regarded ancient historians, yet also one of the least read, speak to a new generation." - Bryn Mawr Classical Review

"Waterfield is a veteran translator who is senstive to the idiosyncrasies of ancient originals and chooses the difficult task of rendering them in good, natural English." - Bryn Mawr Clasical Review