How did Polybius help the Greek communities after Rome defeated Achaea?

After Rome defeated Achaea and destroyed Corinth in 146 BCE, the Greek historian Polybius played a vital role in mitigating the consequences for his countrymen.

Rather than abandoning his people, Polybius traveled to the region shortly after the destruction of Corinth to advocate for them. He dedicated his efforts to two primary objectives:

• Securing a favorable settlement: He worked to negotiate the best possible terms for the defeated Greek communities under Roman rule.1
• Reestablishing order: He actively assisted in restoring stability to the region following the chaos of the conflict.1

His interventions were highly regarded by his contemporaries, who credited him with "quenching the wrath" of the Romans against Greece. In recognition of his service, several Greek cities—including Tegea, Pallantium, Mantineia, Lycosura, and his home city of Megalopolis—erected statues in his honor. Inscriptions on these monuments praised him as the sole source of succor for Greece during its time of grief, suggesting that the nation would have fared better had it followed his counsel from the beginning.1