The ancient Greek historians (Harvard lectures) by J. B. Bury.

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POLYBIUS

215

connecting the unknown and remote with the known
and familiar. For instance, he considers it useless
to mention the names of strange places, which are
mere sound conveying no meaning, unless they are
brought into relation with the geographical knowledge which is familiar to the reader.' He does not
omit to make observations on the psychology of
the masses. Their chief characteristics he considers
to be ignorance and cowardice; and therefore
religious feeling is important for them, because they
cannot endure surprises or face dangers without
hope from the gods.2 The only use of mythology
is to preserve the religion of the multitude.3 Polybius does not hold that religious belief has any
value for the educated person; it would be superfluous in a state consisting exclusively of wise men.
But he certainly did not underrate its importance
in actual societies. He designates religion as the
keystone of the Roman state.4
In general, it may be said that Polybius is
large-minded in his judgments and aims at scrupulous fairness. While he applies ethical standards
to the conduct of public men, his broad study of
human nature inclines him generally to the more
indulgent view of their acts. Perhaps no ancient
writer was more impartial in temper than he, and
the prejudices which we can detect are exceptions
to the rule. These prejudices are chiefly to be
discovered where he deals with the affairs of
Greece. Here his patriotism has unquestionably
v. 21; iii. 36. 2 x. 2. 10. 3 xi. 12. 9. 4 vi. 56. 6 sqq.

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