Polybius
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"Polybius" was a Greek historian of the Hellenistic Period noted for his work, which covered the period of 264–146 BC in detail. The work describes the rise of the Roman Republic to 'world power' (i.e. domination over the Mediterranean world). Polybius is also renowned for his ideas concerning the separation of powers in government, later used in Montesquieu's The Spirit of the Laws and in the drafting of the United States Constitution.

Polybius was born in Arcadia around 200 BC. He was the son of Lycortas, a Greeks/Greek politician who became Cavalry Commander of the Achaean League. His father's opposition to Roman control of Macedonia (Roman province)/Macedonia resulted in his imprisonment. Polybius was then deported to Rome, where Lucius Aemilius Paullus Macedonicus/Lucius Aemilius Paulus employed him to tutor his two sons.

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On any occasion when one can discover the cause of events, one should not resort to the gods.

218

There is no witness so dreadful, no accuser so terrible as the conscience that dwells in the heart of every man.

174

...the glorious memory of brave men is continually renewed; the fame of those who have performed any noble deed is never allowed to die; and the renown of those who have done good service to their country becomes a matter of common knowledge to the multitude, and part of the heritage of posterity.

167

Those who know how to win are much more numerous than those who know how to make proper use of their victories.

86