Although scholars continue to address old questions about Polybius it is clear that they are
also turning their attention to aspects of his history that have been inadequately dealt with
in the past or have even gone largely unnoticed. Polybius' history is increasingly treated not
just as a source of valuable information on the impressive expansion of Roman rule in the
Mediterranean world but also as a complex and nuanced narrative with its own interests and
purposes. Moreover since (apart from Livy's use of Polybius which has been thoroughly
discussed) most studies of Polybius' reception focus on the modern world especially in
relation to the theory of mixed constitutions finding out more about Polybius' impact on
ancient Greek and Roman authors remains a major desideratum. This volume brings together
contributions which in either posing new questions or reformulating old ones attest both to
the ardent scholarly interest currently directed toward Polybius and to the variety of
hermeneutical issues raised by his work. Subjects discussed include Polybius' historical ideas
his methods of composition his views on the role of the historian his representation of
cultural difference his intertextual affinities and his reception and influence. Taken
together the papers in this collection attempt to promote a deeper understanding of the
qualities and peculiarities of Polybius' history as well as to offer fresh insights into the
interpretation of this important work.
