Polybius · Terence Were Polybius and Terence alive at the same time? Yes. Polybius and Terence were alive at the same time, from 190–185 BC to 159 BC. PolybiusAncient Greek historianBorn 202–199 BC · died 133–117 BCTerenceRoman comic playwright (2nd cent. BC)Born 190–185 BC · died 159 BC EratosthenesPlautusHannibalCato the ElderPolybiusTerenceSima Qian Polybius and Terence 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.