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Polybius · The Histories §30.14.1

Shared Excellence in Organizing Games and Commanding Battles

Passage 1156 of 1311 · Greek

Summary

It is stated that organizing games and sumptuous banquets properly and drawing up a battle line like a general against the enemy both belong to the same excellent mind.

§30.14.1ὅτι τῆς αὐτῆς ψυχῆς ἐστιν ἀγῶνάς τε διατίθεσθαι καλῶς καὶ παρασκευὴν καὶ πότον μεγαλομερῆ χειρίσαι δεόντως καὶ παρατάξασθαι τοῖς πολεμίοις στρατηγικῶς. —
That it belongs to the same mind both to organize games well, to manage properly the preparation and a sumptuous banquet, and to draw up a battle line against the enemy like a general.

Notes

  1. §30.14.1τῆς αὐτῆς ψυχῆς ἐστιν — A predicate genitive denoting characteristic or property ("it belongs to the same mind" or "it is characteristic of the same soul"). The subjects are the three subsequent infinitive phrases (διατίθεσθαι, χειρίσαι, and παρατάξασθαι).
  2. §30.14.1παρασκευὴν — Though meaning "preparation" or "equipment," in this context (parallel with πότον "banquet" and in reference to Aemilius Paullus' banquet) it refers specifically to the preparation, setup, or provisioning of a feast.

Cite this passage

Polybius, The Histories §30.14.1. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0543.tlg001.humanitext-grc2:30.14.1

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