1693 – Polybius Histories | Punic War – Rome & Macedonia | Sheeres English

Polybius’s Histories, first written sometime in the 2^nd century BC, is an extensive account of the rise of Rome and the First and Second Punic Wars. Polybius begins with Rome’s campaigns over the Persians, Spartans, and Macedonians, followed by the start of the First Punic War and battles with Syracuse, Carthage, Messina, and the Siege of Agrigentum. Perhaps the most interesting inclusion in this work is the famed account of Hannibal crossing through Gaul on his War Elephants!

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The History of Polybius the Megalopolitan
• Author(s): Polybius
• Contributor(s): Henry Sheeres (Translator)
• Publisher: London: Printed for Samuel Briscoe
• Edition: 1693 edition.
• Format: 12mo (single volume)
• Binding: Full leather
• Size:  7.5in x 5in (19cm x 13cm)
• Collation: 163 [i.e. 363], [1] pages
• Contents Include:
  • Rome rising to power: defeating Persians, Spartans, and Macedonians
  • First Punic Wars – battles Syracuse and Carthage over Messina; Siege of Agrigentum
  • Birth of Rome’s Naval powers, key sea victories Mylae and Clypea
  • Xanthippus & the Carthaginian forces defeat of Rome in Africa
  • Mercenary War and African Revolts – Siege of Utica and Hippo
  • Hannibal’s rise in Spain and the start of the Second Punic War
  • Hannibal marching through Gaul with war elephants
  • Hannibal defeating Rome at Trebbia, Trasimene, and Cannae
  • Speeches and lessons from both Hannibal and Rome’s leaders such as Fabian Maximus

Condition:

Good. Full leather binding remains tight and secure. Corners show heavy wear, and some loss of leather is present. Text block remains sound and stable.

Why Collect This?

• Early English translation of Polybius
• Important source for Roman and Carthaginian history

Item Number: #50582