Polybius and the Ethics of Mass-Violence

Tristan Taylor

Abstract

In his Histories, Polybius at times passes judgment on the exercise of mass-violence - including declaring acts 'right and fair in accordance with the laws of war' (5.9), or alternatively 'contrary to principle' (1.88.7). This paper explores Polybius' ethics of mass-violence, which appear prima facie difficult to delimit (Walbank 1957, 264). Thus, when critiquing Philip's destruction of Thermum, Polybius states that 'good men' ought to make war: not to destroy wrong-doers, but to correct them (5.11.5). Yet, in the same book, Polybius praises an exterminatory war by Prusias against some marauding Gauls (5.111). It is possible to outline key aspects of Polybius' ethics of mass-violence despite these apparent contradictions.

Original language	English
Pages	43-44
Publication status	Published - 2016
Event	ASCS 37: Australasian Society for Classical Studies 37th Annual Meeting - Melbourne, Australia Duration: 2 Feb 2016 → 5 Feb 2016

Conference

Conference	ASCS 37: Australasian Society for Classical Studies 37th Annual Meeting
City	Melbourne, Australia
Period	2/02/16 → 5/02/16

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Keywords

Classical Greek and Roman History

Access to Document

https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/19879

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Cite this

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title = "Polybius and the Ethics of Mass-Violence",

abstract = "In his Histories, Polybius at times passes judgment on the exercise of mass-violence - including declaring acts 'right and fair in accordance with the laws of war' (5.9), or alternatively 'contrary to principle' (1.88.7). This paper explores Polybius' ethics of mass-violence, which appear prima facie difficult to delimit (Walbank 1957, 264). Thus, when critiquing Philip's destruction of Thermum, Polybius states that 'good men' ought to make war: not to destroy wrong-doers, but to correct them (5.11.5). Yet, in the same book, Polybius praises an exterminatory war by Prusias against some marauding Gauls (5.111). It is possible to outline key aspects of Polybius' ethics of mass-violence despite these apparent contradictions.",

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author = "Tristan Taylor",

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AB - In his Histories, Polybius at times passes judgment on the exercise of mass-violence - including declaring acts 'right and fair in accordance with the laws of war' (5.9), or alternatively 'contrary to principle' (1.88.7). This paper explores Polybius' ethics of mass-violence, which appear prima facie difficult to delimit (Walbank 1957, 264). Thus, when critiquing Philip's destruction of Thermum, Polybius states that 'good men' ought to make war: not to destroy wrong-doers, but to correct them (5.11.5). Yet, in the same book, Polybius praises an exterminatory war by Prusias against some marauding Gauls (5.111). It is possible to outline key aspects of Polybius' ethics of mass-violence despite these apparent contradictions.

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Y2 - 2 February 2016 through 5 February 2016

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