Livy and Polybius on the Life of Hannibal from Carthage

Hannibal, argueably the greatest contendf are bomber of the Ancient World, second to Alexander the groovy was both loved and hated end-to-end the Hellenic founding and has remained a major(ip) historical character canvass by dint of ancient hi recital circles to daylight. Livy and Polybius both magnificent ancient historians have left an invaluable insight into the purport of Hannibal from Carthage and have put down in their makeups the footsteps of this intimately famed warlords achievements over once against capital of Italy.This essay will include an picket on Hannibal from both authors perspectives, Livy and Polybius and will in addition include who the historians were, when they wrote and what type of cyphers they performed. Livy was a Ro piece of music historian who existed between 59 B. C- 17 A. D. Born Titus Livius in Patavium the near elegant city in Italy, came from blue-blooded blood and born into a world of opportunity and luxury.Livy lived galore(po stnominal) years afterward the actions between Hannibal and capital of Italy approximately maven hundred fifty years later so his sources of writing were not first hand accounts so t present arc not entirely accurate. Livy travel to capital of Italy at the age of 30 and after a brief scrimp writing and teaching philosophy began a large scale documentation on the history of the ro firearm print empire. Due to a wealthy family inheritance Livy was financi exclusivelyy openhanded to live a quiet life of study in the library, becoming the close to influential author of his era. Livy,s writing was precise colourful and dramatic with a truly story heavy style.He was brainy at glamourising Rome stating history was written by the winners, making the foe run down bigger and bolder than they heartyly were, a utter(a) style of exaggeration to allow capital of Italy to seem like an unconquerable dynasty who thwarted the undefeatable. A genuinely imaginative story telling styl e that won many hearts throughout the Hellenic world. I am Roman, I am great, Rome is great. Livy had no political or armed forces blood lines or fancy in public office, was not a man of war but more an schoolman who wanted to run the evils of civil war so present during his time and escape to the library to write well-nigh the joys of the past.In mass 21 of his ancient literary productions Livy shows po teaseive perspectives on Hannibal declaring him the commander and chieftain of the Carthaginians and a soldier who led the track in battle, the first to enter the scramble and the start to leave the battle. Livy also states that Hannibal was an self-seeker who continuously practiced and observed otherwises where required to become a great leader of men, however Livy does conclude his view verbalize in negative terms about Hannibals inhumane cruelty, absence of rectitude, disrespects fellers and has no sense impression of religious codes.The truth is that Rome neer defeated the carthaginians in battle and during their last battle at Cannae the roman armament were slaughtered by Hannibal losing 70,000 men in one day, the Romans never fought the Carthaginians on land again and were forced to find other methods in exterminating their enemy, Livy never gave the subscriber an exact truth but more a lesson story of history as he was an astute Roman who loved all things Rome. Polybius was an Ancient Historian from Greece, one of the greats.His views of Roman history provided his readers with historical means for item-by-itemist self improvement. Polybius was born in Megalopolis in 202 B. C the son of Lycortas a worldwide of the Achaean league. With his fathers influence Polybius served as an embassador to Egypt and also served as a sawbuck commander. In 169 B. C Polybius was dispatched to assist Rome against Macedon however Rome suspected Polybius of half hearted support and was shipped to Rome as a political hostage living good under hous e arrest substructure the city walls of rome.Eventually Polybius was appointed learn to Roman aristocratic children and given license to access Roman documents and readings in aim to utilise his craft of writing literature. Polybius became honoured by both Greeks and Romans and was an witness to historical events of his day including the 3rd macedon war and the 3rd treacherous war. Polybius insisted on travelling to where the history was made, to the battle fields, engaging other military men, including trailing down other military soldiers who fought fore and against Rome in the 1st and second Punic wars.Polybius on Hannibal reads a very neutral account basing his views on eyewitness accounts including his own and referencing from other readings and sources of history. Polybius was himself a man of war who had real life experience into the mindset of a soldier in battle. His opinions n either favour nor ridicule Hannibal. Polybius endeavoured and observed in book 9 an simple side to the character of Hannibal stating for I believe that men in these circumstances are compelled, not occasionally but frequently, either by the suggestions of friends or the complexity of affairs, to direct and act contrary to real principles.Polybius unearths here the human condition of Hannibal a extremely motivated man, a man with a plan who did not just sit around, a man groomed for war his whole life and loyal to the oath of his father, I will hate Rome my whole life. Polybius also expresses a proportion in book 9 mentioning other exceptional historical figures like Cleomones from Sparta, a most excellent king and most cruel tyrant and then again as a positive individual most obliging and benevolent. Polyibius is clearly stating a reasoning here acknowledging the cruel populace of war and how generals are compelled to change with the changes of circumstance.Having studied the historical writings on Livy and Polybius the reader can conclude that Polybius was more lu cky to Hannibal. Although Livy did praise Hannibal in the early passages of book 21 he did conclude by attacking his code of conduct and methods when candidature and on the battle field and illustrates Hannibal as an extremely cruel character. Livy failed to use first sources in his readings accompanied with his story telling style, his readings were written from an enterrainment point of view in particular to the Romans as Hannibal was a true enemy to Rome.Polybius however prided himself on keeping it real and stating provided the facts, praising his heros or villians only if they deserved it. , expressing always a non prepossess opinion. Polybius always documented his findings from eyewitness accounts and schooling stemmed from interviews he had performed personally with those who had served beside Hannibal, fetching himself along the exact same routes study Hannibals steps to were the history occurred.Livy and Polybius writings of the punic wars between Rome and Hannibal from Carthage painted a picture of his achievements and gave insight into the man cognise as Hannibal, the difference between the two authors were the styles in resourcing the material to keep the work accurate and correct. Polybius achieved plausible accounts which deems him the most credible. Its a pity that all historians were not as good as Polybius.