Care Quote by Polybius
“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 brought under the dominion of the single city of Rome, and that too within a period of not quite fifty-three years?”
About This Quote
Source Historical Treatise: The Histories, c. 150 BC
The rapid expansion of Rome was astonishing given its short timespan and political context.
In simple terms: Rome’s swift conquest.
Study how political structures enable rapid change.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- modern empire building
- academic curricula
- political analysis
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What factors most enable fast empire growth?
- How do modern states compare?
Rome’s unique geography and culture aided its rise.