While a few fragments exist, there is no surviving historical work which dates to the hundred years following Alexander's death. The works of the major Hellenistic historians Hieronymus of Cardia (who worked under Alexander, Antigonus I and other successors), Duris of Samos and Phylarchus which were used by surviving sources are all lost. The earliest and most credible surviving source for the Hellenistic period is Polybius of Megalopolis (c. 200-118), a statesman of the Achaean League until 168 BCE when he was forced to go to Rome as a hostage. His Histories eventually grew to a length of forty books, covering the years 220 to 167 BCE. COUNT 5
QSN1 What is the earliest, most credible source of the Hellenistic period? ANS1 Polybius QSN2 Where was Polybius from? ANS2 Megalopolis QSN3 Where was Polybius forced to go as hostage? ANS3 Rome QSN4 What years do Polybius books cover? ANS4 220 to 167 BCE QSN5 What League was Polybius a statesman? ANS5 Achaean