Tragical mechanisms and polemic in the Histories (Plb. 38.20)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17398/1886-9440.20.1Keywords:
tragic historiography, polemic, Polybius, Phylarchus, Hasdrubal's wifeAbstract
Plb. 38.20 presents a number of narratological and stylistic features that could be linked to the so-called “tragic” historiography. This paper aims to point out the existence of such “tragic” passages in the Histories and elucidate how the Megalopolitan’s account differs from that of his congeners through the comparison of 38.20 with 2.56 (the famous criticism of Phylarchus, where he is accused of inappropriately moving the reader by distorting the facts and employing mechanisms typical of tragedy). It is also intended to frame Plb. 2.56 in the polemical context of the Histories by comparing it with other Polybian criticisms. By identifying which specific elements Polybius reproaches other historians for and for what purpose, we can clarify whether the presence of “tragic” passages in the Histories compromises Polybius’ methodological program to any extent.
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