FORTUNA IN AMMIANUS MARCELLINUS by C. P. T. Naude ...

with what may be regarded as the Roman outlook. 30 It involved him in the
inconsistency of denying the role of tyche which in his introduction he had
virtually proclaimed the theme of his history. 31 The outcome is a dualism
in Polybian pragmatism consisting in the attribution of Roman success to
character, training and the excellence of political institutions-and simultaneously
to the overriding power of a tyche which comes close to 'providence'.32
This dualism underlies a much discussed passage in Cicero's De republica
which is based on Polybius. 33 It occurs in a patriotic context in which Cicero
expresses admiration for the genuinis domesticis virtutibus over against
the importatis artibus, 34 and is evident approval of what Cicero may have
regarded as the 'Romanism' of Polybius in rejectingfortuna-tyche. 35 At the
same time the concluding phrase nee tamen adversante fortuna includes
vague acknowledgement of the teleological tyche, the second element in the
pragmatism of Polybius. 36 This dualism may have given rise to the myth
in Plutarch, followed by Florus and Ammianus, of a positive and friendly
alliance between arete and fortuna-tyche to accomplish Rome's greatness. 37
It is a theme which conflicts with the traditional Roman idea; 38 but it
30. Polyb. 1.63.9: