The Roman empire radically affected geographical conceptions, evoking new ways of describing the earth and of constructing its history. This book explores the writings of three literary figures of the age--Polybius, Posidonius, and Strabo--and how they used and transformed pre-existing Greek traditions in order to describe the new world of Rome.

"A fresh, lively and original study... Classicists will find Clarke's detailed approach extremely gratifying."

"This erudite book examines the relationship between history and geography in the extant writings of three Hellenistic figures: Polybius, Posidonius, and (especially) Strabo....For future work on Strabo and for any future consideration of the assignment of Posidonius fragments, Clarke's book will remain essential reading."

Katherine Clarke, Fellow and Tutor in Ancient History, St. Hilda's College, Oxford