In his history, Polybius (ca. 200-118 BC) is centrally concerned with how and why Roman power spread. The main part of the work, a vital achievement despite the incomplete state in which all but the first five books of an original forty survive, describes the rise of Rome, its destruction of Carthage, and its eventual domination of the Greek world.

Polybius' overall theme is how and why the Romans spread their power as they did. The main part of his history describes the rise of Rome, her destruction of Carthage, and her eventual domination of the Greek world. It is a vital achievement despite its incomplete state; all but the first five of its original forty books survive.