Question

Who were Philinus and Fabius? What is the problem with their accounts? What general principle does Polybius advocate for writers of history?

Option 1: Historians of ancient Greece - They lacked objectivity - Fidelity to the truth.
Option 2: Roman generals - Their bias - Honesty in historical writing.
Option 3: Carthaginian diplomats - Inaccurate information - Political neutrality.
Option 4: Greek philosophers - Limited perspective - Creative storytelling.

Answer 1

Philinus and Fabius were historians known for their biased accounts of the First Punic War, and Polybius advocated for fidelity to the truth and objectivity in historical writing. Option 1 is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

Philinus and Fabius were two historians who wrote about the First Punic War between Rome and Carthage. The problem with their accounts is that they were accused of lacking objectivity in their writings. Philinus, being Carthaginian, was said to favor Carthage, while Fabius, a Roman, leaned towards Rome in his narratives. This highlights the issue of bias in historical recordings.

Polybius, another ancient historian, criticized the lack of objectivity in their work and advocated for a general principle for writers of history, which is fidelity to the truth. According to Polybius, historians should strive for honesty in historical writing and aim to present a balanced and accurate representation of events.