POLYBIUS, a famous Greek historian, was born
at Megalopolis, a city of Arcadia, 205 years before
Christ; and was the son of Lycortas, chief of the re-
public of the Achæans. He was trained to arms under
the celebrated Philopoemen, and is described by Plutarch
carrying the urn of that great but unfortunate general
in his funeral procession. He arose to considerable ho-
nours in his own country, but was compelled to visit
Rome with other principal Achæans, who were detain-
ed there as pledges for the submission of their state.
From hence he became intimate with the second Scipio
Africanus, and was present with him at the demolition
of Carthage. He saw Corinth also plundered by Mum-
mius, and thence passing through the cities of Aclæia,
reconciled them to Rome. He extended his travels in-
to Egypt, France, and Spain, that he might avoid such
geographical errors as he has censured in others.
It was in Rome that he composed his excellent his-
tory, for the sake of which his travels were undertaken.
This history was divided into 40 books; but there only
remain the five first, with extracts of some parts of the
others. It has had several editions in Greek and Latin;
and there is an English translation by Mr. Hampton. He
died at the age of 82.