Private and Public Behaviour in Polybius

Abstract

Polybius’ Histories represent a fundamental step in the ancient debate about whether individuals who are virtuous in public are also necessarily virtuous in private. The historian argued that the uprightness in the public life of politicians must reflect their uprightness in private life. Before Polybius, this theme had only been analysed in depth by Aristotle, although a connection between the reflections of the two authors cannot be demonstrated.