[Usyd_Classics_Events] Reminder: USYD Classics Research Seminar Oct 27: Jonathan Barlow on Polybius

[Ben Brown]

Dear Friends of Classics and Ancient History at the University of Sydney,

We are delighted to invite you to the eighth presentation of Semester 2, 2025 in our Classics and Ancient History research seminar series.

October 27th (Mon, 12.15pm UTC+11)
V. Gordon Childe Boardroom (Level 2, Madsen Building)

Jonathan Barlow (University of Sydney)

Polybius on leadership in Macedon and Rome

Zoom link: https://uni-sydney.zoom.us/j/83159864939

Polybius wrote Histories with the intention of explaining the success of Rome and by contrast the failure of rivals like Macedon. Macedon was home to Philip II and Alexander, font of a world empire, and a cultural centre attracting Aristotle, Alexander’s tutor, and Stoics, philosophers who explained the world Alexander made. Aristotle’s concept of μεγαλοψυχία (‘greatness of soul’) lent itself to leadership being exhibited in the man accomplishing the greatest achievements and worthy of the greatest honour. The concept was restrained and stoicised in the Hellenistic period and, in its Stoic form, entered the consciousness of Polybius.

I argue that Polybius applied μεγαλοψυχία to Roman commanders by way of his explanation of Rome’s success. Polybius understood effective leadership as manifestation of ‘greatness of soul’, and imperviousness to the vicissitudes of fortune and the impulse to extremes. This is demonstrated by Polybius’ consistent characterisation of Philip II, the friends of Philip II and Alexander, and of Scipio Africanus, Aemilius Paullus, and Scipio Aemilianus. Polybius transmitted the Aristotelian-Stoic concept of μεγαλοψυχία from Macedon to Rome.

Biography
Jonathan Barlow holds a BA (Hons) and PhD from the University of Sydney, and an MA from Monash University. He taught History of Ideas for 24 years in the Trinity College Foundation Studies Program, University of Melbourne. His research interests include the influence of Greek ethics in the Roman Republic and he has published on Stoic themes in the life and career of Scipio Aemilianus. He is an Honorary Associate of the Department of Classics and Ancient History, University of Sydney.

All best, Ben
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