1. Polybius, Histories, 1.4, 3.58-3.59, 6.45.1, 12.28.10, 34.1.3 (2nd cent. BCE - 2nd cent. BCE)
| 3.58. 1. That no part of history requires more circumspection and more correction by the light of truth than this is evident from many considerations and chiefly from the following.,2. While nearly all authors or at least the greater number have attempted to describe the peculiarities and the situation of the countries at the extremities of the known world,,3. most of them are mistaken on many points. We must therefore by no means pass over the subject, but we must say a word to them,,4. and that not casually and by scattered allusions, but giving due attention to it, and in what we say we must not find fault with or rebuke them, but rather be grateful to them and correct them when wrong, knowing as we do that they too, had they the privilege of living at the present day, would correct and modify many of their own statements.,5. In old times, indeed, we find very few Greeks who attempted to inquire into the outlying parts of the world, owing to the practical impossibility of doing so;,6. for the sea had so many perils that it is difficult to enumerate them, and the land ever so many more.,7. Again, even if anyone by his own choice or by the force of circumstances reached the extremity of the world, that did not mean that he was able to accomplish his purpose.,8. For it was a difficult matter to see many things at all closely with one's own eyes, owing to some of the countries being utterly barbarous and others quite desolate, and it was still more difficult to get information about the things one did see, owing to the difference of the language.,9. Then, even if anyone did see for himself and observe the facts, it was even still more difficult for him to be moderate in his statements, to scorn all talk of marvels and, preferring truth for its own sake, to tell us nothing beyond it. 3.59. 1. As, therefore, it was almost impossible in old times to give a true account of the regions I speak of, we should not find fault with the writers for their omissions or mistakes,,2. but should praise and admire them, considering the times they lived in, for having ascertained something on the subject and advanced our knowledge.,3. But in our own times since, owing to Alexander's empire in Asia and that of the Romans in other parts of the world, nearly all regions have become approachable by sea or land,,4. since our men of action in Greece are relieved from the ambitions of a military or political career and have therefore ample means for inquiry and study,,5. we ought to be able to arrive at a better knowledge and something more like the truth about lands which were formerly little known.,6. This is what I myself will attempt to do when I find a suitable place in this work for introducing the subject, and I shall then ask those who are curious about such things to give their undivided attention to me,,7. in view of the fact that I underwent the perils of journeys through Africa, Spain, and Gaul, and of voyages on the seas that lie on the farther side of these countries,,8. mostly for this very purpose of correcting the errors of former writers and making those parts of the world also known to the Greeks.,9. But now returning to the point at which I digressed from my narrative I shall attempt to describe the battles between the Romans and Carthaginians in Italy. 6.45.1. To pass to the constitution of Crete, two points here demand our attention. How was it that the most learned of the ancient writers â Ephorus, Xenophon, Callisthenes, and Plato â state in the first place that it is one and the same with that of Lacedaemon and in the second place pronounce it worthy of commendation? 34.1.3. Polybius says that in regard to Greece Eudoxus has given a good and Ephorus a very good account of the foundation of cities, genealogies, migrations |
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