Reasons for Introductory Summaries over Tables of Contents — Polybius, The Histories Book 11 (11.1a.1–11.1a.5), Greek & English

§11.1a.1

ἴσως δέ τινες ἐπιζητοῦσι πῶς ἡμεῖς οὐ προγραφὰς ἐν ταύτῃ τῇ βίβλῳ, καθάπερ οἱ πρὸ ἡμῶν, ἀλλὰ καὶ προεκθέσεις καθʼ ἑκάστην ὀλυμπιάδα πεποιήκαμεν τῶν πράξεων.

Perhaps some people will inquire why we have not made tables of contents in this book, as did our predecessors, but rather introductory summaries of events for each Olympiad.

§11.1a.2

ἐγὼ δὲ κρίνω χρήσιμον μὲν εἶναι καὶ τὸ τῶν προγραφῶν γένος· καὶ γὰρ εἰς ἐπίστασιν ἄγει τοὺς ἀναγινώσκειν θέλοντας καὶ συνεκκαλεῖται καὶ παρορμᾷ πρὸς τὴν ἀνάγνωσιν τοὺς ἐντυγχάνοντας, πρὸς δὲ τούτοις πᾶν τὸ ζητούμενον ἑτοίμως ἔνεστιν εὑρεῖν διὰ τούτου·

For my part, I judge that the class of tables of contents is also useful; indeed, it directs the attention of those who wish to read, and summons and incites those who consult the work to read it, and furthermore, through it one can readily find whatever is sought.

§11.1a.3

θεωρῶν δὲ διὰ πολλὰς αἰτίας καὶ τὰς τυχούσας¹ ὀλιγωρούμενον καὶ φθειρόμενον τὸ τῶν προγραφῶν γένος, οὕτως καὶ διὰ ταῦτα πρὸς τοῦτο τὸ μέρος κατηνέχθην·

But seeing that for many and indeed casual reasons the class of tables of contents is neglected and ruined, I was for this reason led to adopt the following method.

§11.1a.4

τῆς γὰρ προεκθέσεως οὐ μόνον ἰσοδυναμούσης πρὸς τὴν προγραφήν, ἀλλὰ καὶ πλεῖόν τι δυναμένης, ἅμα δὲ καὶ χώραν ἐχούσης ἀσφαλεστέραν διὰ τὸ συμπεπλέχθαι τῇ πραγματείᾳ,² τούτῳ μᾶλλον ἐδοκιμάσαμεν χρῆσθαι τῷ μέρει παρʼ ὅλην τὴν σύνταξιν πλὴν ἓξ τῶν πρώτων βυβλίων· ἐν ἐκείνοις δὲ προγραφὰς ἐποιησάμεθα διὰ τὸ μὴ λίαν ἐναρμόζειν ἐν αὐτοῖς τὸ τῶν προεκθέσεων γένος.

For the introductory summary not only has the same value as the table of contents, but is capable of even more, and at the same time occupies a safer position through being interwoven with the narrative itself. Therefore, I preferred to use this method throughout the whole work, except for the first six books; in those books we made tables of contents because the method of introductory summaries did not fit them very well.

Syntax notes2 items

11.1a.3διὰ πολλὰς αἰτίας καὶ τὰς τυχούσας
The participle τυχών usually means 'ordinary' or 'casual', often appearing with a negative as οὐχ ὁ τυχών ('no ordinary', 'extraordinary'). Here, without the negative, it means 'many and indeed casual (or common) reasons'. This refers to the practical vulnerability of tables of contents, which, being separate from the main text, were easily lost or corrupted in manuscript transmission.
11.1a.4τῆς γὰρ προεκθέσεως οὐ μόνον ἰσοδυναμούσης πρὸς τὴν προγραφήν, ἀλλὰ καὶ πλεῖόν τι δυναμένης, ἅμα δὲ καὶ χώραν ἐχούσης ἀσφαλεστέραν διὰ τὸ συμπεπλέχθαι τῇ πραγματείᾳ
A lengthy genitive absolute construction with τῆς προεκθέσεως as its subject, expressing the cause or reason for the main clause in §11.1a.5 (τούτῳ μᾶλλον ἐδοκιμάσαμεν χρῆσθαι...). Three participles, ἰσοδυναμούσης, δυναμένης, and ἐχούσης, are coordinated. The phrase διὰ τὸ συμπεπλέχθαι consists of the preposition διά and an articular perfect middle/passive infinitive, indicating the state of being interwoven with the narrative (τῇ πραγματείᾳ) as the reason for its safety.

Translated by Gemini 3.5 Flash (published 2026-05-25) · Revision history (1, latest 2026-10-09)

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

urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0543.tlg001.humanitext-grc2:11.1a.1-11.1a.5