How did Diodorus Siculus compile his history?
I compiled my history by systematically excerpting and harmonizing dozens of earlier sources, often without naming them directly. I traveled to Egypt, Rome, and other regions to consult local archives and inscriptions, but my method was primarily that of a librarian, not a field researcher. I would compare accounts from authors like Ctesias, Megasthenes, and Polybius, then select what I deemed most plausible or morally instructive. This approach has been criticized for errors and contradictions, but it preserved invaluable material from lost works. My aim was to create a coherent, accessible narrative for a broad audience.
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