Editing Timaeus (historian) (section)

==Reception==
Timaeus was highly criticized by other historians, especially by [[Polybius]], and indeed his unfairness towards his predecessors, which gained him the nickname of ''Epitimaeus'' (Επιτίμαιος, "fault-finder"), laid him open to retaliation. While Polybius was well-versed in military matters and a statesman, Timaeus is depicted as a bookworm without military experience or personal knowledge of the places he described. The most serious charge against him was that he willfully distorted the truth when influenced by personal considerations: thus, he was less than fair to [[Dionysius&nbsp;I of Syracuse]] and [[Agathocles of Syracuse|Agathocles]], while loud in praise of his favourite [[Timoleon]].{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=977}}

On the other hand, as even Polybius admitted, Timaeus consulted all available authorities and records. His attitude towards the myths, which he claimed to have preserved in their simple form, can be contrasted to the rationalistic interpretation under which it had become the fashion to disguise them. This is probably the origin of his nickname ''graosyllektria'' (γραοσυλλεκτρία; "Old Ragwoman", or "collector of old wives' tales"), an allusion to his fondness for trivial details.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=977}}

Both [[Dionysius of Halicarnassus]] and the [[Pseudo-Longinus]] characterized him as a model of "frigidity", although the latter admitted that he was nevertheless a competent writer. [[Cicero]], who was a diligent reader of Timaeus, expressed a far more favourable opinion, especially commending his copiousness of matter and variety of expression. Timaeus was one of the chief authorities used by [[Gnaeus Pompeius Trogus]], by [[Diodorus Siculus]], and by [[Plutarch]] (in his ''[[Parallel Lives|life of Timoleon]]'').{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=978}}