Polybius wanted to explain Rome's conquest of the Mediterranean in roughly 53 years. His history values practical experience and critical assessment of evidence, and connects Roman success with its constitution and people's character while allowing fortune a role. A modern book blurb calls 264 BC Rome's first encounter with Carthage. Earlier agreements, dated here to 509, 348, and 279 BC, show why the outbreak of war cannot serve as the beginning of their relationship. The error belongs to the modern description of his work.
Notable Point · 1:38:04-1:39:33
Polybius's method and a misleading modern book blurb
A modern description of Polybius's work confuses the outbreak of war with Rome's first contact with Carthage.