Polybius · The Histories §11.18a.1-11.18a.3

The Value of Explaining Causes in History

Passage 715 of 1311 · Greek

Summary

Polybius argues that merely describing the outcomes of wars and events is insufficient; rather, understanding the causes of success or failure, the agents' prior deliberations, and the detailed handling of situations is what truly benefits the reader.

§11.18a.1ὅτι 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.2τὰ γὰρ τέλη τῶν πράξεων ψυγαγωγεῖ μόνον τοὺς ἀκούοντας, αἱ δὲ πρόσθεν διαλήψεις τῶν ἐπιβαλλομένων 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.3μάλιστα δὲ πάντων ὁ κατὰ μέρος χειρισμὸς ἑκάστων ἐπιδεικνύμενος ἐπανορθοῖ τοὺς συνεφιστάνοντας. —

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

Notes

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).

Cite this passage

Polybius, The Histories §11.18a.1-11.18a.3. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0543.tlg001.humanitext-grc2:11.18a.1-11.18a.3

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