Polybius and Roman Imperialism

(Hardback)

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Polybius and Roman Imperialism explores in depth the complexity of the Greek historian Polybius views on the expansion of Roman power. Although he considered imperialism intrinsically noble, and both admired and supported Roman domination, Polybius also evinced detachment from the ruling power. This detachment came in different forms: personal, cultural, patriotic and cultural. In general, he believed that the Romans cited morally acceptable pretexts for declaring war, observed justice in other aspects of foreign policy, and practised beneficence and moderation in their dealings with subject nations. Even with less than half of the original text surviving, the author reveals Polybius' personality and political philosophy.

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[This] monograph cuts to the heart of Polybius's conflicted attitudes...This book is not a study of Roman imperialism or of Polybius's historiography but an analyis of a historian's personal reaction to his times. With less than half of the original text extant, the author remarkably brings to light the historian's personality and political philosophy. -- Adrian Tronson, University of New Brunswick * The Historian *

Author Bio

Donald Walter Baronowski is Lecturer in the Department of History and Classical Studies, McGill University, Canada.