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Can any one be so indifferent or idle as not to care to know by what means, and under what kind of polity, almost the whole inhabited world was conquered and_x000D_ brought under the dominion of the single city of Rome, and that too within a period of not quite fifty-three years?
Polybius
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote reflects on the remarkable nature of Rome's conquests and the desire to understand the means behind such historical achievements.

Polybius is emphasizing the impressive nature of the Roman Empire's expansion within a short period and challenging the audience to reflect on the significance of understanding the political and military strategies that facilitated this transformation. It invites curiosity about the reasons behind Rome’s dominance and encourages historical inquiry into the mechanisms of power and governance.

Themes

RomeHistoryConquestPoliticsEmpire

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used in a history class discussion to highlight the importance of studying the rise of empires.

More from Polybius

The particular aspect of history which both attracts and benefits its readers is the examination of causes and the capacity, which is the reward of this study, to decide in each case the best policy to follow. Now in all political situations we must understand that the principle factor which makes for success or failure is the form of a state's constitution: it is from this source, as if from a fountainhead, that all designs and plans of action not only originate but reach their fulfillment.
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From this I conclude that the best education for the situations of actual life consists of the experience we acquire from the study of serious history. For it is history alone which without causing us harm enables us to judge what is the best course in any situation or circumstance.
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Since the masses of the people are inconstant, full of unruly desires, passionate, and reckless of consequences, they must be filled with fears to keep them in order. The ancients did well, therefore, to invent gods, and the belief in punishment after death.
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If history is deprived of the Truth, we are left with nothing but an idle, unprofitable tale.
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A good general not only sees the way to victory; he also knows when victory is impossible.
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