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Polybius · The Histories §32.10.1-32.10.8

Ariarathes in Rome and Rival Embassies

Passage 1217 of 1311 · Greek

Summary

King Ariarathes of Cappadocia, having been deposed, arrived in Rome in humble attire. Meanwhile, embassies from his rivals Demetrius and Orophernes also arrived and gained the upper hand in private interviews by asserting uncontradicted falsehoods.

§32.10.1ὅτι ὁ βασιλεὺς Ἀριαράθης παρεγένετο εἰς τὴν Ῥώμην ἔτι θερείας οὔσης·
King Ariarathes arrived in Rome while it was still summer.
τότε δέ, §32.10.2παρειληφότων ὑπάτων τὰς ἀρχὰς τῶν περὶ τὸν Σέξτον Ἰούλιον καὶ Λεύκιον Αὐρήλιον, ἐγίνετο περὶ τὰς κατʼ ἰδίαν ἐντεύξεις, οἰκείαν ποιούμενος περικοπὴν καὶ φαντασίαν τῆς ὑποκειμένης περιστάσεως.
At that time, when Sextus Julius and Lucius Aurelius had entered upon their consulship, he busied himself with private interviews, appearing in a style of dress and display that was suited to his present misfortunes.
§32.10.3παρῆσαν δὲ καὶ παρὰ Δημητρίου πρέσβεις οἱ περὶ τὸν Μιλτιάδην πρὸς ἑκατέραν τὴν ὑπόθεσιν ἡρμοσμένοι· καὶ γὰρ πρὸς Ἀριαράθην ἀπολογεῖσθαι καὶ κατηγορεῖν αὐτοῦ παρεσκευάζοντο φιλαπεχθῶς.
There were also present ambassadors from Demetrius, led by Miltiades, prepared for either alternative; for they were ready to defend themselves against Ariarathes or to accuse him with great hostility.
§32.10.4ἀπεστάλκει δὲ καὶ Ὀροφέρνης πρεσβευτὰς τοὺς περὶ Τιμόθεον καὶ Διογένην, στέφανόν τε κομίζοντας τῇ Ῥώμῃ καὶ τὴν φιλίαν καὶ τὴν συμμαχίαν ἀνανεωσομένους, τὸ δὲ πλεῖον συγκαταστησομένους πρὸς τὸν Ἀριαράθην καὶ τὰ μὲν ἀπολογησομένους, τὰ δὲ κατηγορήσοντας.
Orophernes, too, had sent ambassadors led by Timotheus and Diogenes, bringing a crown to Rome to renew friendship and alliance, but more especially to establish their position against Ariarathes, partly to defend their own case and partly to accuse him.
§32.10.5ἐν μὲν οὖν ταῖς κατʼ ἰδίαν ἐντεύξεσιν μείζω φαντασίαν εἷλκον οἱ περὶ τὸν Διογένην καὶ Μιλτιάδην, ἅτε καὶ κατὰ τὸ πλῆθος πρὸς ἕνα συγκρινόμενοι καὶ κατὰ τὴν ἄλλην περικοπὴν εὐτυχοῦντες πρὸς ἐπταικότα θεωρούμενοι·
In private interviews, therefore, Diogenes and Miltiades and their colleagues produced a greater impression, since they were a crowd compared to a single man, and in their general appearance they were seen as prosperous compared to one who had fallen.
§32.10.6παραπλησίως δὲ καὶ περὶ τὴν τῶν πραγμάτων ἐξήγησιν πολὺ περιῆσαν· §32.10.7πᾶν μὲν γὰρ καὶ πρὸς παντοῖα λέγειν ἐθάρρουν, οὐδένα λόγον ποιούμενοι τῆς ἀληθείας, τὸ δὲ λεγόμενον ἀνυπεύθυνον ἦν, οὐκ ἔχον τὸν ἀπολογησόμενον.
Likewise in their explanation of the facts they were far superior; for they did not hesitate to say anything to suit every purpose, making no account of the truth, and what they said went uncontradicted, since there was no one to answer them.
§32.10.8λοιπὸν ἀκονιτὶ τοῦ ψεύδους ἐπικρατοῦντος, ἐδόκει σφίσι τὰ πράγματα κατὰ γνώμην χωρεῖν.
Consequently, since falsehood triumphed without a struggle, they thought that everything was going according to their wishes.

Notes

  1. 32.10.1ὅτι — An introductory conjunction frequently found at the beginning of historical excerpts. Similar to the start of the previous chapter, it serves to indicate a summary or indirect report.
  2. 32.10.2οἰκείαν ποιούμενος περικοπὴν — Object of the participle `ποιούμενος`. The noun `περικοπή` (literally "curtailment" or "reduction") here refers to the reduced or humble attire of the deposed Ariarathes. The adjective `οἰκείαν` indicates that this simplicity was "fitting" or "appropriate" to his present unfortunate circumstances (`τῆς ὑποκειμένης περιστάσεως`).
  3. 32.10.5θεωρούμενος — Although the logical subject "the embassy of Diogenes and Miltiades" is plural, the participle `θεωρούμενος` is in the nominative singular. This grammatical incongruity (anacoluthon) is influenced by the singular objects of comparison (`πρὸς ἕνα` and `πρὸς ἐπταικότα`, both referring to the single fallen king Ariarathes).

Cite this passage

Polybius, The Histories §32.10.1-32.10.8. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0543.tlg001.humanitext-grc2:32.10.1-32.10.8

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