- Source
- Polybius. Vols. 1-4. Büttner-Wobst, Theodor, editor. Leipzig: Teubner, 1893.
- Translation
- AI-generated (gemini-3.5-flash) — machine translation; may contain errors
- Languages
- 日本語 · English · 简体中文 · 한국어
- CTS URN
- urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0543.tlg001.humanitext-grc2:29.17.1-29.17.4
- Generated
- Humanitext Reader · reader.humanitext.ai · 2026-11-11
Describes the consul Lucius recalling the terrifying nature of the Macedonian phalanx, and Perseus's psychological collapse and cowardice when faced with danger and toil.
Λεύκιος δὲ ὁ ὕπατος οὐχ ἑωρακὼς φάλαγγα τὸ παράπαν ἀλλὰ τότε πρῶτον ἐπὶ τοῦ Περσέως πρός τινας πολλάκις ἀνθωμολογεῖτο τῶν ἐν τῇ Ῥώμῃ μετὰ ταῦτα μηδὲν ἑωρακέναι φοβερώτερον καὶ δεινότερον φάλαγγος Μακεδονικῆς, καίτοι γε πολλοὺς οὐ μόνον θεασάμενος ἀλλὰ καὶ χειρισάμενος ἀγῶνας, εἰ καί τις ἄλλος.1 —
The consul Lucius, who had never seen a phalanx at all but then saw it for the first time in the campaign against Perseus, afterwards frequently admitted to certain persons in Rome that he had never seen anything more terrifying and dreadful than a Macedonian phalanx, although he had not only witnessed but also conducted many battles, if anyone else had. —
ὅτι πολλὰ τῶν ἐπινοημάτων κατὰ μὲν τὸν λόγον φαίνεται πιθανὰ καὶ δυνατά, παραγενόμενα δʼ εἰς τὴν χρείαν, καθάπερ τὰ κίβδηλα τῶν νομισμάτων εἰς τὸ πῦρ,2 οὐκέτι ποιεῖ τἀκόλουθον ταῖς πρώταις ἐπινοίαις. — Πολύβιος·
Many plans appear plausible and possible in theory, but when they come to actual practice, just like counterfeit coins when put to the fire, they no longer produce the result corresponding to the initial ideas. — Polybius:
ὁ δὲ Περσεὺς μίαν ἔχων πρόληψιν ἢ νικᾶν ἢ θνήσκειν, τότε οὐχ ὑπέμεινε τῇ ψυχῇ ἀλλʼ ἀπεδειλία, καθάπερ οἱ προόπται τῶν ἱππέων. — Πολύβιος·
But Perseus, having only one anticipation, either to conquer or to die, did not support it with his soul at that moment, but turned coward, just like the scouts of the cavalry. — Polybius:
ὁ δὲ Περσεὺς προσαγόμενος3 τὸν χρόνον καὶ τὸν πόνον ἐξελύετο τῇ ψυχῇ, καθάπερ οἱ καχεκτοῦντες τῶν ἀθλητῶν· ὅτε γὰρ τὸ δεινὸν ἐγγίζοι καὶ δέοι κρίνεσθαι περὶ τῶν ὅλων, οὐχ ὑπέμεινε τῇ ψυχῇ. —
And Perseus, as time and toil pressed upon him, grew disheartened, just like athletes in bad condition; for when the danger drew near and it was necessary to decide the whole issue, he did not hold out in his soul. —
- 29.17.1εἰ καί τις ἄλλος
An idiomatic phrase meaning literally "if indeed anyone else [did]", used to express strong emphasis corresponding to "as much as anyone else" or "more than anyone else".
- 29.17.2καθάπερ τὰ κίβδηλα τῶν νομισμάτων εἰς τὸ πῦρ
In the comparative clause introduced by καθάπερ, a word corresponding to the participle παραγενόμενα in the main clause (such as "when brought") is omitted after εἰς τὸ πῦρ, forming a tight parallel structure.
- 29.17.4προσαγόμενος
The present middle-passive participle of προσάγω. Used here either in an intransitive-like sense of time and toil "approaching" or "being brought near", meaning that Perseus was wearing down as he faced them.