- 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-grc2:32.8.1-32.8.7
- Generated
- Humanitext Reader · reader.humanitext.ai · 2026-11-12
Summarizes the exceptional character and achievements of King Eumenes II of Pergamon, praising his intelligence in expanding a small state, his generosity to cities and individuals, and his remarkable ability to maintain unity and obedience among his three capable brothers.
ὅτι Εὐμένης ὁ βασιλεὺς τῇ μὲν σωματικῇ δυνάμει παραλελυμένος ἦν, τῇ δὲ τῆς ψυχῆς λαμπρότητι προσανεῖχεν, ἀνὴρ ἐν μὲν τοῖς πλείστοις οὐδενὸς δεύτερος τῶν καθʼ αὑτὸν βασιλέων γενόμενος, περὶ δὲ τὰ σπουδαιότατα καὶ κάλλιστα μείζων καὶ λαμπρότερος·
That King Eumenes, though paralyzed in bodily strength, clung to the brilliance of his mind, a man who in most respects proved second to none of the kings of his time, and in the most important and noblest matters was greater and more illustrious;
ὅς γε1 πρῶτον μὲν παραλαβὼν παρὰ τοῦ πατρὸς τὴν βασιλείαν συνεσταλμένην τελέως εἰς ὀλίγα καὶ λιτὰ πολισμάτια ταῖς μεγίσταις τῶν καθʼ αὑτὸν δυναστειῶν ἐφάμιλλον ἐποίησε τὴν ἰδίαν ἀρχήν, οὐ τύχῃ τὸ πλεῖον συνεργῷ χρώμενος, οὐδʼ ἐκ περιπετείας, ἀλλὰ διὰ τῆς ἀγχινοίας καὶ φιλοπονίας, ἔτι δὲ πράξεως τῆς αὑτοῦ.
who, in the first place, having received from his father a kingdom completely reduced to a few petty and simple towns, made his own dominion a rival to the greatest dynasties of his time, not using fortune for the most part as his helper, nor by mere chance, but through his own sagacity and diligence, and furthermore his own personal action.
δεύτερον φιλοδοξότατος ἐγενήθη καὶ πλείστας μὲν τῶν καθʼ αὑτὸν βασιλέων πόλεις Ἑλληνίδας εὐεργέτησε, πλείστους δὲ κατʼ ἰδίαν ἀνθρώπους ἐσωματοποίησε.2
Secondly, he was most desirous of glory, and benefited more Greek cities than any of the kings of his time, and established the fortunes of the greatest number of private individuals.
τρίτον ἀδελφοὺς ἔχων τρεῖς καὶ κατὰ τὴν ἡλικίαν καὶ πρᾶξιν, πάντας τούτους συνέσχε πειθαρχοῦντας3 αὑτῷ καὶ δορυφοροῦντας καὶ σῴζοντας τὸ τῆς βασιλείας ἀξίωμα.
Thirdly, though he had three brothers who in age and activity were outstanding, he kept them all obedient to himself, acting as his supporters and preserving the dignity of the kingship.
τοῦτο δὲ σπανίως εὕροι τις ἂν γεγονός.
And this is something that one could rarely find to have happened.
- 32.8.3ὅς γε
The relative pronoun ὅς combined with the intensive particle γε, introducing a causal or explanatory relative clause ('inasmuch as he', 'who indeed') to provide the ground or reason for the preceding description of Eumenes' greatness.
- 32.8.5ἐσωματοποίησε
The aorist active of σωματοποιέω (literally 'to make into a body', 'materialize'). When applied to individuals (ἀνθρώπους), it is used figuratively to mean 'to give substance to,' 'to establish their fortunes,' or 'to provide with a secure livelihood.'
- 32.8.6συνέσχε πειθαρχοῦντας
The verb συνέχω (to hold together, keep in check) combined with the present participle πειθαρχοῦντας, indicating that the subject kept the objects (the three brothers) in a continuous state of obedience and discipline. The following participles (δορυφοροῦντας, σῴζοντας) are also under the grammatical control of συνέσχε.
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
- 2026-09-22 AI review — source 1