Brendan Haug

Abstract of Presentation

23 February 2004

Polybius, Livy and the End of the Second Punic War

This paper will present a comparison of parallel episodes in the histories of Polybius and Livy. By examining the differences, we will reveal each author’s respective goals, methodology and thereby demonstrate the way in which both memorialize the same incidents. The focus will be the meeting between Scipio and Hannibal, pre-battle speeches, the final encounter at Zama and the treaty that ends the Second Punic War in 202 B.C.

Livy largely follows Polybius in his history of the Second Punic War. The two accounts are quite similar, though Livy’s is more rhetorical and contains supplementary material. Both historians are didactic and present examples of behavior both to imitate and to avoid. Their interests and methodology, however, differ. In general, Polybius emphasizes the characteristics of generalship and directly explains why certain courses succeed or fail. He analyzes Hannibal’s management of affairs both before and during the battle in order to depict exemplary leadership. Polybius also examines the role played by institutions in the outcome of events, such as the Roman army’s unique tactical arrangement and its effect on opposing forces. Often, however, he assigns a result to the intervention of Tyche (Fortune). This is his stated verdict in the case of Hannibal’s defeat. Livy, on the other hand, is concerned with the character of the historical actors. He presents his didactic indirectly by leaving aside long, characteristically Polybian authorial interventions. Livy’s version of Hannibal’s speech at the generals’ meeting includes a catalog of Scipio’s virtues, including valor, familial devotion and determination, while Carthaginian dishonesty, oath breaking and warmongering receive stress. Livy additionally hints at Scipio’s self-interested ambition, something not germane to Polybius’ event-centered account. In the final analysis of Livy’s version, which must be gleaned from a careful reading, it is the homogeneity and common purpose of the Roman army, as well as divine will, which brings victory.

In his account of the end of the Second Punic War, Polybius offers patterns of practical leadership to be imitated. Livy’s historical memory, conversely, represents the incidents as a conflict of character and presents to his readers, in the person of Scipio, a paradigm of romanitas, in order to remind them of the virtues they have forgotten.