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What position did Polybius hold in the Achaean Confederation before 168 BCE?

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Marble statue of Polybius seated with one arm raised, draped in classical robes, against a blue sky in Vienna, Austria. The base is inscribed with the name Polybius. — Polybius Polybius, statue in Vienna.

Before 168 BCE, the Greek historian Polybius served as the hipparch, or cavalry commander, of the Achaean Confederation around 170/169 BCE.1

Little is known about his career prior to this appointment, though he was the son of a prominent Achaean statesman named Lycortas. Following his service as hipparch, Polybius became involved in critical political events, including acting as an envoy to the Roman consul Quintus Marcius Philippus during the conflict between Rome and Perseus of Macedonia. After the Roman victory at the Battle of Pydna in 168 BCE, he was among the 1,000 eminent Achaeans deported to Italy and detained without trial.1