Is Polybius a primary source for Hannibal? This article argues NO on the basis that the date Polybius wrote is not contemporaneous with Hannibal's life, however on the basis that Polybius was a contempory of Hannibal for between 18 to 26 years, one might argue YES. What is your opinion, and why?

Nov 17, 2020 · Polybius` the three spies` story was a “cover up” story; it made the victory in the fabricated battle that all the interested parties wished for an appearance of being more credible. And thirdly, we should recognise that all this does not lessen Scipio`s achievement.

Jan 2, 2023 · This is a noob question. I always read the Roman legion was just more versatile and could manouver more easily. That seems to be what Polybius implied. But I recently watched a YouTube video (in french though) in which it was argued things were a bit more complicated. Looking at how things...

Jul 14, 2023 · Polybius (ii.3) says re the treaty of 226 BC: "Accordingly, after having sent envoys to Hasdrubal and made a treaty, in which no mention was made of the rest of Spain, but the Carthaginians engaged not to cross the Ebro in arms," Livy (xxi.2) says: "...the Romans had renewed the treaty with Hasdrubal. Under its terms, the River Ebro was to form the boundary …

May 1, 2015 · It's extremely telling that no one has made any reference to ancient literature in order to substantiate any claims made about conceptions of tyranny and monarchy. Polybius is an alright place to start. In book 6 of his Histories, he lays out constitutions; his ultimate goal is to explain the supremacy of Rome during his time period (200-120 BCE).

The words used are specific: τοξόται / archers; σφενδονῆται / slingers. Describing these forces in action, Polybius (15.13.1) says the front line battle became "a trial of strength between man and man at close quarters" and is specific this was close quarter hand to hand combat ( using the Greek χειρὸς / hand ...

Dec 2, 2011 · Hannibal's Invasion Force: By the Numbers When Hannibal left New Carthage during the late Spring of 218 BC, according to Polybius his army amounted to 90,000 infantry, 12,000 cavalry (Polybius, 3.35), while Appian adds 37 elephants to the number. Clearly, the size of his infantry and...

Jan 25, 2012 · Mago was given an important task by his brother at Trebia, and during the night before the battle, he set out with 1000 handpicked infantry and 1000 cavalry with the task to conceal himself within a watercourse between the two camps, which had steep banks overgrown with brambles. Polybius tells us it was a perfect place for an ambush:

Apr 3, 2022 · Polybius points this out when giving his final thoughts on the First Punic War (1.63-64): 'It had lasted without a break for twenty-four years and is the longest, most unintermittent, and greatest war we know of.

Jan 18, 2025 · Polybius wrote decades after Hannibal died and was leaning on to the romans. So I say that there is not a contemporary source outside roman influence about him, and besides that, famous people of the ancient world have either statues, busts or coin, he doesnt.