The Res Graeciae in Polybius

Polybius (c.203-c.120 B.C.) in his father's, Lycortas, house in Megalopolis grew up to become a «balancist» in the wider Mediterranean political theatre and a «'new' Achaean» in the closer circle of the Peloponnesos. The political career he had started in his younger days as a politician and military commander of the Achaean League may prove that Polybius responded well to the expectations of his father and his political faction. His deportation to Rome, its background, reasons, conjunctions and eventually the struggle for survival in detention did not pass without leaving deep imprints on Polybius the man, and the historian. Polybius aspired to transmit to the young Achaeans (and Greeks) of his native land the experience of action and inaction which he had observed and studied; for those young men would sooner or later carry on a more fortunate life than his own, and have the opportunity to develop an uninterrupted political career in a free Achaea (and Greece).

In the given circumstances, (that is under Roman sway), Polybius had to develop an unusual system in order to communicate privately, and exclusively, with the potential future leaders of Achaea (and Greece).