Polybius · The Histories §19.1.1

Cato's Demolition of the Cities' Walls near the Baetis

Passage 946 of 1311 · Greek

Summary

Polybius records that the walls of the numerous and heavily defended cities inside the Baetis River were demolished in a single day by the order of Cato.

§19.1.1Πολύβιος μέν γέ φησι τῶν ἐντὸς Βαίτιος ποταμοῦ πόλεων ἡμέρᾳ μιᾷ τὰ τείχη κελεύσαντος αὐτοῦ περιαιρεθῆναι· πάμπολλαι δʼ ἦσαν αὗται καὶ γέμουσαι μαχίμων ἀνδρῶν.

Polybius indeed says that the walls of the cities inside the Baetis River were pulled down in a single day by his order; and these were very numerous and full of fighting men.

Notes

19.1.1τῶν ἐντὸς Βαίτιος ποταμοῦ πόλεων — This genitive phrase depends on the subsequent accusative subject `τὰ τείχη`. Placed near the beginning of the clause, it emphasizes the wide region and the numerous cities affected by the demolition.
19.1.1κελεύσαντος αὐτοῦ — Genitive absolute. The pronoun `αὐτοῦ` refers to the Roman consul Marcus Porcius Cato (Cato the Elder) in the historical context of his campaign in Hispania.

Cite this passage

Polybius, The Histories §19.1.1. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0543.tlg001.humanitext-grc2:19.1.1

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