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 republic 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 honours in his own country, but was compelled to visit Rome with other principal Achæans, who were detained 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 Mummius, and thence passing through the cities of Achæa, reconciled them to Rome. He extended his travels into 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 history, 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.