How to Do Things with Hellenistic Historiography: Plutarch’s Intertextual Use(s) of Polybius

Abstract

This chapter examines several of Plutarch’s explicit references to Polybius in an effort to appraise the intricate character of intertextuality in his works, especially through an author who both lived during the period of transition of power from Greece to Rome, and wrote about it. The chapter studies, therefore, both the use of Polybius’ text in the works of Plutarch and the appearance of Polybius as an author outside his text. Three examples are explored: Cleomenes, Aemilius Paulus and Philopoemen.

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