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

VI

POLYBIUS

201

impression on tile mind of Polybius, for its
influence on a number of passages in his work
has been proved by von Scala. The event of
167, the fall of the Macedonian monarchy, the
new step in the resistless advance of the western
world - power, in whose chariot wheels Polybius
himself and his country were caught up, might
well seem a powerful confirmation of the theories
of the wise man of Phaleron. Though Polybius
traces the causes of the success of Rome to its
history and constitution, he writes as follows in
the preface to the original plan of his work:
"Fortune has caused the whole world and its
history to tend towards one purpose-the empire
of Rome. She continually exercises her power
in the lives of men and brings about many changes,
yet never before did she achieve such a labour as
she has-wrought within our memory."1 Thus the
Roman conquests produced upon Polybius the
same impression which the Macedonian conquests
had produced upon Demetrius. Elsewhere Polybius quotes the very words which Demetrius had
used.2 "Fortune, who exhibits her power in
compassing the unexpected, is even now, I think,
displaying it to the world, having made the
MIacedonians the inheritors of Persian prosperity.
She has lent them these blessings, till she forms
a new resolution on their destiny." In many
other places, too, Polybius recognises the active
operation of Fortune, and comments on her

1 i. 4. 5.

2 xxix. 21. 5-6.