The Value of Explaining Causes in History — Polybius, The Histories Book 11 (11.18a.1–11.18a.3), Greek & English

§11.18a.1

ὅτι¹ φησὶν ὁ Πολύβιος, τί γὰρ ὄφελός ἐστι τοῖς ἀναγινώσκουσι διεξιέναι πολέμους καὶ μάχας καὶ πόλεων ἐξανδραποδισμοὺς καὶ πολιορκίας, εἰ μὴ τὰς αἰτίας ἐπιγνώσονται, παρʼ ἃς ἐν ἑκάστοις οἱ μὲν κατώρθωσαν, οἱ δʼ ἐσφάλησαν;

Polybius says: what benefit is there for readers to go through wars and battles, the enslavements of cities, and sieges, unless they learn the causes owing to which, in each case, some succeeded while others failed?

§11.18a.2

τὰ γὰρ τέλη τῶν πράξεων ψυχαγωγεῖ μόνον τοὺς ἀκούοντας, αἱ δὲ πρόσθεν διαλήψεις τῶν ἐπιβαλλομένων² ἐξεταζόμεναι δεόντως ὠφελοῦσι τοὺς φιλομαθοῦντας.

For the outcomes of events merely entertain the listeners, whereas the prior deliberations of those who undertake them, when properly examined, benefit those who are eager to learn.

§11.18a.3

μάλιστα δὲ πάντων ὁ κατὰ μέρος χειρισμὸς ἑκάστων ἐπιδεικνύμενος ἐπανορθοῖ τοὺς συνεφιστάνοντας.³ —

And most of all, the detailed handling of each matter, when demonstrated, corrects those who pay close attention.

Syntax notes3 items

11.18a.1ὅτι
The ὅτι at the beginning of the sentence is the "ὅτι recitantis" commonly found in Byzantine excerpts to introduce a quotation. Although strictly untranslatable, it functions here to frame the quotation along with the following φησὶν ὁ Πολύβιος.
11.18a.2τῶν ἐπιβαλλομένων
Genitive plural present middle participle of ἐπιβάλλομαι (to undertake, attempt), used substantively to mean "those who undertake [actions]". This creates a clear contrast with the preceding τῶν πράξεων (of actions/events), highlighting the "prior deliberations" (διαλήψεις) of the agents behind those actions. Although it could grammatically be taken as a neuter ("of things attempted"), referring it to human agents is more natural as the subjects of deliberation.
11.18a.3τοὺς συνεφιστάνοντας
Accusative plural present active participle of συνεφίστημι (to turn one's mind to, pay attention to), meaning "those who apply their minds [to the historical account]", i.e., "attentive readers/observers". It serves as the direct object of the verb ἐπανορθοῖ (corrects, instructs).

Translated by Gemini 3.5 Flash (published 2026-05-25) · Revision history (2, latest 2026-10-09)

2026-10-09 Collated with the printed edition — source 1
2026-09-21 AI review — source 1

urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0543.tlg001.humanitext-grc2:11.18a.1-11.18a.3