Polybius · Sima Qian Were Polybius and Sima Qian alive at the same time? Yes. Polybius and Sima Qian were alive at the same time, from 145–135 BC to 133–117 BC. PolybiusAncient Greek historianBorn 202–199 BC · died 133–117 BCSima QianChinese historianBorn 145–135 BC · died 87–86 BC EratosthenesPlautusHannibalCato the ElderPolybiusSima QianCiceroPompeyJulius CaesarLucretius Polybius and Sima Qian in bold, with some of their best-known contemporaries. Drag across to see the age each reached in any year. Faded ends mark uncertain dates.