TY - CHAP
T1 - When in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes ... Livy (and Polybius) on the Gallic Sack of Rome
AU - Roth, Ulrike
PY - 2021/1/21
Y1 - 2021/1/21
N2 - This paper analyses a hitherto unrecognised Polybian dimension in Livy’s narrative of the Gallic Sack of Rome. An initial comparison of twelve motifs and themes with Polybius’ account of the capture of Phoenice demonstrates notable similarities in the narratives’ ‘building blocks’. The ensuing discussion of another shared element – that of the role of fortuna/tyche – challenges the seemingly natural interpretation of the presented overlaps as merely illustrating wider historiographic and narratological commonalities. Instead, it is argued that the best way to make sense of these overlaps is to regard them as evidence of the Livian engagement with Polybius’ account, designed to comment on the Greek’s broader take on Roman world rule, in which tyche plays a central role.
AB - This paper analyses a hitherto unrecognised Polybian dimension in Livy’s narrative of the Gallic Sack of Rome. An initial comparison of twelve motifs and themes with Polybius’ account of the capture of Phoenice demonstrates notable similarities in the narratives’ ‘building blocks’. The ensuing discussion of another shared element – that of the role of fortuna/tyche – challenges the seemingly natural interpretation of the presented overlaps as merely illustrating wider historiographic and narratological commonalities. Instead, it is argued that the best way to make sense of these overlaps is to regard them as evidence of the Livian engagement with Polybius’ account, designed to comment on the Greek’s broader take on Roman world rule, in which tyche plays a central role.
U2 - 10.1163/9789004445086_007
DO - 10.1163/9789004445086_007
M3 - Chapter (peer-reviewed)
SN - 9789004445024
T3 - Historiography of Rome and Its Empire
SP - 115
EP - 145
BT - Usages of the Past in Roman Historiography
A2 - Damtoft Poulsen, Aske
A2 - Jönsson, Arne
PB - Brill
CY - Leiden
ER -
