The history of the world

§. VI. The Romans sollicit the Greekes, to ioyne with them in the Warre against PERSEVS. How the Greekes stood affected in that Warre. The timorousnesse of PERSEVS. MAR∣TIVS a Roman Embassadour deludes him with hope of Peace. His forces. Hee takes the field, and winnes part of Thessalie. The forces of LICINIVS the Roman Consul: and what assistants the Romanes had in this Warre. Of Tempe in Thessalie; and what aduantages the Macedonian had, or might haue had; but lost by his feare. PERSEVS braues the Romanes; fights with them; knowes not how to vse his victorie; sues for [unspec 10] Peace; and is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it by the vanquished. PERSEVS hauing the worse in a skirmish, for sakes all the Countrey lying without Tempe. The Boeotians rebell against the Romans, and are rigorously punished. The Roman Commanders vnfortunate in the warre against PERSEVS. They vexe the Greekes their friends; for whose ease the Senate makes prouision, hauing heard their complaints. The flattering Alabanders.

SO long had the Romans beene seeking occasion to take in hand this Macedonian warre, that well they might haue been ready for it, when it came; and not (as they were) behinde-hand in prouisions. But it was on a sudden that they met with a confluence of good pretences [unspec 20] to make the warre: whereof, if no one alone had weight enough, yet all of them together seemed more than sufficient. This opportunitie of making their cause honest in common opinion, was not to be neglected: though otherwise they were vnprepared for the action. Wherefore knowing, or hauing reason to be∣leeue, that their owne strength was such as would preuaile in the end; they hastily embraced the faire occasion of beginning, and referred other cares to the diligence of Time. Neither was this their vnreadinesse a small helpe, towards examining the disposition of the Greekes, and others; who must afterwards dearely pay for any backwardnesse found in their good will. There was not indeede any cause to feare, that all of the Greekes or other Easterne people should conspire together, [unspec 30] and take part with the Macedonian: such was the dissension betweene their seueral estates; howsoeuer the generalitie of them were inclined the same way. Neuer∣thelesse Embassadours were sent to deale with them all; and to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their helpe against Perseus, or rather to demand it, in no lesse ample manner, than heretofore they had yeelded it against Philip and Antiochus, in warres pretending the liberty of Greece. The Embassadours vsed as gentle words for fashions sake, as if they had stood in doubt, that their request might happen to be denied. But the Greekes were now growne well acquainted with such Roman courtesie: and vnderstood, that not onely such as made refusall, but euen they who might seeme to haue granted halfe vnwillingly; were like to heare other manner of words, when once this businesse [unspec 40] was ended. Wherefore none of them were scrupulous in promising the best of their helpe to the Romans; * 1.1 the Achaeans and Rhodians, which were chiefe among them, being rather doubtfull, euen when they had done their best, lest it should be ill taken, as if they had halted in some part of their duetie. It is strange, that men could bee so earnest to set vp the side, whereof they gladly would haue seene the ruine. The vulgar sort was euery where addicted to Perseus; of the No∣bles and Rulers, if some were vehemently Roman, they wanted not opposers, that were wholly Macedonian; yea, the wisest and most honest, who regarded onely the benefit of their Countrey, wished better to Perseus than to the Ro∣mans. And of this number, Polybius the chiefe of Historians was one: who [unspec 50] though Hee * 1.2 iudged the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Perseus, like to prooue hurtfull vnto Greece; yet wished hee the Romanes ill to thriue, that so the Greekes might recouer perfect libertie: for his endeuours in which course, hee was at length ty∣rannically handled, as shall bee shewed hereafter. This considered, it appeares,

that an extraordinary feare, and not onely reuerence of the Imperiall Cit e, made the Achaeans and other Estates of Greece, thus conformable to the Romans. The oc∣casion of this their feare, may be iustly imputed vnto the timorous demeanour of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 himselfe. He had vndertaken a warre, whereof the benefit should redound, not only to his own Kingdom, but vnto all that were oppressed by the Romans. Yet no sooner were some few companies brought ouer sea, to make a countenance of meaning somewhat against him, than he began to speake the enemie faire, and sue for peace at Rome. Since therefore it was knowne, that euery small thing would serue to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him; and consequently, that it should at all times be in the Romans power, by giuing him any tolerable conditions of peace, to take reuenge at leisure [unspec 10] vpon those which had assisted him: little cause was there, why any should aduen∣ture to partake with him. He made indeed a great noise; leading about his armie; taking by force or composition, some few townes; and solliciting all to ioyne with him. But wise men could not be so beguiled. For at the same time, hee sought all meanes of pacification: and to that end, made humble suit vnto the Roman Embas∣sadors. Q. Martius; the chiefe of those Embassadors, and a man of more finenesse in cunning than was vsuall among the Romans; made shew of inclination to the Kings desire: and gaue out such comfortable words, that the King intreated, and obtained a meeting at the Riuer Peneus. There did Martius very gently rebuke the King, and charge him with those crimes that are before mentioned. Whereto though Per∣seus [unspec 20] made none other answer; than the same which they could haue made for him; yet the Embassadors, and especially Martius, tooke it in good part, as therewith sa∣tisfied; and aduised him to giue the like satisfaction to the Senate. That this might conueniently bee done; a truce was agreed vpon. Thus had Martius his desire; which was, to make the King lose time. For Perseus had all things then in readines, and might haue done much, ere the Roman army could haue been in Greece. But by the interposition of this truce, he no way increased his forces; he suffred a most con∣uenient season, of winning vpon the enemie, to slip away; and obtained in recom∣pence nothing else, than leisure and vaine hope. Yet was he pleased herewith, as it had bin with some victory: publishing a copie of the disputation between him and [unspec 30] the Romans, whereby he gaue men to vnderstand, how much he had the better, and what great hope there was of Peace. He sent Embassadors also to the Rhodians, of whose good will to him he was best perswaded; not onely to let them know how much he was superiour in cause; but to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them, that they would take vpon them, as moderators; to compound the differences betweene him and the Romans, if perhaps, notwithstanding the goodnesse of his cause, he should be denied peace. These were poore helps. For hereby it appeared, that his late standing vpon point of Honor, was no better than meere vanity: his owne safety being the vtmost of his ambition. This his fearefulnes might seeme excusable, and the blame therof to ap∣pertaine vnto the Greekes; who deceiued his expectation, by being wanting to him [unspec 40] in time of a necessity, that was partly their own: had it not bin his office who tooke vpon him as their Champion, to giue such a manly beginning to the war, as might incourage al others to follow him. But his timorous quality being found, men grew daily more and more auerse from him; and were carefull, not to put their shoulders to a falling wall. The Rhodians, among whom he had many stout partizans, desired him not to craue any thing at their hands, in which they might seeme to do against the good liking of the Romans. The Boeotians also, who had entred of late into a strict societie with the Macedonian; renounced it now, and made the like with the Romans: to whom further, in a sort, they yeelded thēselues as vassals. Neither was Martius contented to accept their submission vnder a generall forme; but caused [unspec 50] their seuerall townes to make couenant apart each for itselfe; to the end, that being thus distracted into many little common weales they might not (were they neuer so desirous to rebell) haue such force to do hurt, as when they agreed, and were in∣corporated in one, vnder the Citie of Thebes. This work, of separating the Boeotians

from Thebes their head; was more than Agesilaus could effect, or Epaminondas would suffer, than when all Greece followed the Lacedaemonians. So far more auail∣able to Thebes, being destitute of helpe from abroad, was the vertue of Epaminon∣das and a few braue Citizens; than was the societie with King Perseus, against a number not so great as followed the Lacedaemonians.

Martius brought this to effect, whilest the King sate still, as being bound by the truce: and hauing done this, he returned to the Citie; where vaunting what hee had wrought by his craft, he was commended, and (though some reprooued it as dishonest) employed againe by the Senate, with commission to deale as hee should thinke expedient. Touching the Embassadours which Perseus had sent, audience [unspec 10] was giuen to them, for that they should not plainly see how their Master was delu∣ded: but neither excuse, nor intreatie, would serue their turne; the Senate being resolued before-hand what to doe. It was enough that they were admitted into the Citie, and had thirty dayes respite allowed them to depart out of Italy: where∣as they, who came last on the same errand, did their message without the walles, in the Temple of Bellona (the vsuall place of giuing audience to open Enemies, or to such Commanders, as might not, by reason of some custome, enter the Citie) and had onely the short warning of eleuen dayes, to be gone out of Italy. Neither did this poore courtesie serue alone to hide the craft of Martius, as if hee had meant none other than good earnest: but it was a likely mean, both to keepe a long while [unspec 20] from Perseus the knowledge of his businesse, and to stagger his resolution, when hee should need it most firme.

And accordingly it fell out. For Licinius, the Roman Consul, was at Apollonia, in a maner as soone, as the Macedonian Embassadors were with their King at Pella. Which, though it were enough to haue rouzed Perseus, and haue made him lay a∣side all cowardly hope of getting pardon: yet was hee content to deliberate a∣while, Whether it were not better to offer himselfe tributary to the Romans, and to redeeme their good will with some part of his Kingdome, that so he might en∣ioy the rest; than to put all at once to hazzard. But finally, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 counsel pre∣uailed; which also was the wisest, and so would haue proued, had it been stoutly [unspec 30] and wisely followed. He now began, as if the warre had not begunne vntill now, to doe what should haue bin done long afore. He caused all his forces to be drawne together; and appointed their R endeuous at Citium, a towne in Macedon. All being in readines, he did royall sacrifice, with an hundred beasts, to I know not what Mi∣nerua, that was peculiarly honored in his Country: and then with all his Courtiers, and those of his guard, set forward to Citium. His armie he found consisting of nine and thirty thousand foot, and foure thousand horse: whereof about twelue thou∣sand foot, and a thousand horse, were strangers, of sundry Nations, most part Thra∣cians; the rest his owne Macedonians. These hee animated with liuely speeches; laying before them the glory of their ancestors, the insolencie of the Romans, the [unspec 40] goodnesse of his cause, the greatnesse of his prouisions, and the many aduantages which they had of the Enemie, especially in numbers. They answered him cheere∣fully, with loud acclamations, and bade him be of good courage. From all Cities of Macedon there came likewise messengers, offering to helpe him with money and victuals, according to their seuerall abilities. He gaue them thanks: but answered, That his owne prouisions would abundantly suffice, willing them only to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him with carts, for his engines and munition.

Out of his owne kingdome he issued forth into Thessalie: knowing that the Ro∣mans were to passe through that Countrey, in their iourney towards him. Some Townes of Thessalie opened their gates vnto him, without making offer to defend [unspec 50] themselues; some he balked, thinking them too strong or well manned; and some he wanne by force. Of these last was Mylae; a towne thought impregnable, and therefore, not more stoutly then proudly defended by the Inhabitants, who gaue contumelious language to the assailants. It was taken by reason of a sally; which

the Townesmen rashly made, and being driuen backe, receiued the Macedonians, that entred pell mell with them at the gate. All crueltie of warre was practised heere: to the greater terror of the obstinate. So Velatiae and Connus (towns of much importance, especially Connus, which stood in the streights of Ossa, leading into Tempe) yeelded at the first. Hauing well fortified this passage, the King marched onwards to Sycurium, a towne seated on the foot of mount Ossa; where hee rested a while, expecting newes of the Enemie.

Licinius the Consul brought with him only two Roman Legions: being promi∣sed other strength of auxiliaries, which was thought sufficient. Eumenes, and Atta∣lus his brother came to him in Thessalie, with foure thousand foot, and a thousand [unspec 10] horse. Thither also came, from euery part of Greece, such aide as the seuerall E∣states could afford, or thought expedient to send: which from the most of them was very little. Of the kings abroad; Masanissa sent thither his sonne Misagenes, with a thousand foot, as many horse, and two and twentie Elephants. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Cappadocian, by reason of his affinitie with Eumenes, was friend to the Romans, and had sent to Rome his yong sonne, there to bee brought vp: yet hee did little or nothing in this warre; perhaps because Eumenes himselfe began within awhile, but when it was too late, to be otherwise aduised than he had beene in the begin∣ning. Prusias was content to be a looker on: as being allied to Perseus, and yet fea∣ring the Romans. Antiochus and Ptolemie (though Ptolemie was then yong, and [unspec 20] vnder Tutors) had busines of their owne; the Syrian meaning to inuade the Ae∣gyptian: yet each of them promised helpe to the Romans, which they cared not to performe. Gentius the Illyrian was inclinable to the Macedonian: yet made good countenance to the Romans, for feare. It was a prettie tricke, where with M. Lucre∣tius, the Roman Admirals brother, serued him, for this his counterfeit good will. This king had foure and fiftie shippes, riding in the hauen of Dyrrachium, vncer∣taine to what purpose: all which Lucretius tooke away, after a very kind sort; ma∣king shew to beleeue, That for none other ende than to serue the Romans, their good friend Gentius had sent thither this fleet. But whatsoeuer Gentius thought in the beginning; hee foolishly lost both his kingdome and himselfe, in the ende of [unspec 30] this warre; by offering, rather then giuing, his helpe to Perseus.

With none other company than what hee brought ouer the sea, Licinius came into Thessalie: so tyred with a painfull iourney, through the mountainous country of Athamania, which stood in his way from Epirus; that if Perseus had beene ready, attending his descent into the Plaines, the Romans must needs haue taken a great o∣uerthrow. He refreshed himselfe and his wearied armie, by the riuer Peneus; where he encamped, attending his auxiliaries, that came in as fast as they could. It was not any slender helpe, that could enable him to deale with Perseus. Therefore he resolued, to abide where he then was, and keepe his trenches, vntill his numbers were sufficiently increased: contenting himselfe in the meane while, to haue got∣ten [unspec 40] quiet entrance into the Country. The land of Thessalie, in which these two ar∣mies lay, was better affected to the Romans, than any part of Greece besides: as ha∣uing beene freed by them from a more heauie yoke of bondage to the Macedoni∣an, when there was little hope or expectation of such a benefit. It was generally rich, fruitfull, and abounding in all things needfull to mans life. In the midst of it, but some what more to the East, was that beautifull valley of Tempe, so exceeding∣ly ful of all delights, that the name was often vsed at large, to signifie the most plea∣sant and goodly places. This valley of it selfe was not great: but adding to it those huge mountaines, Ossa and Olympus (famous in Poesie) with their Spurres or bran∣ches, by which it was on all sides enclosed; it occupied the better part of Thessalie. [unspec 50] And this way were the Romans to enter into Macedon; vnlesse they would make an hungrie iourney, thorow the countrey of the Dassaretians, as in the former warre with Philip, they had long, in vaine, attempted to doe. Perseus therefore had no small aduantage, by being master of the streights leading into Tempe: though farre

greater he might haue had, if by misspending of time he had not lost it. For if in defending the ragged passages of these mountaines, he were able to put the Romans often to the worse; yea to winne vpon them (for a while) euery yeere more than other, both in strength and reputation: questionlesse he might haue done far grea∣ter things, had hee seized vpon the streights of Aous, which his father once kept, and defended all the countrie behinde the Mountaines of Pindus. Surely not with∣out extreme difficultie, must the Romans haue either trauelled by land, with all their carriages and impediments, through places wherein was no reliefe to bee found; or else haue committed their armies, and all things thereto needefull, vnto the mercie of seas that were very dangerous; if they would haue sought other way [unspec 10] into Macedon, than through the heart of Greece: vpon neither of which courses they once deuised, notwithstanding any trouble which they found in this present warre. It may perhaps be said, that the Greekes, and others, whom the King must haue left on his backe, would haue made him vnable to defend any places too farre from his owne home. But they were all, excepting the Thessalians, better affected now to him, than they had bin to his father in the former warre. The Aetolians. vpon whom the Athamanians depended, grew into suspition with the Romans (as we shall finde anon) euen as soone as they met with Perseus. The Boeotians, how poli∣tikely soeuer Martius had wrought with them, aduentured themselues desperately in the Macedonians quarrell: what would they haue done, if hee at first had done [unspec 20] his best? The Rhodians, Illyrians, yea and Eumenes himselfe, after awhile began to wauer, when they saw things goe better with Perseus, then they had expected. So that if in stead of discouraging his friends, by suing basely for peace; he had raised their hopes, by any braue performance in the beginning; and encreased the num∣ber of his well-willers, yea and bought downe with money (as hee might haue done) some of his enemies, and among them Eumenes, who offered for good recom∣pence, to forget his broken head then might the Romans perhaps haue bin compel∣led to forsake their imperious patronage ouer Greece; and to render the libertie, by them giuen, entire; which otherwise was but imaginarie. Such benefit of this warre, since it was hoped for afterwards, might with greater reason haue beene ex∣pected [unspec 30] at first, from greater aduantages. But as a fearefull companie running from their enemies, till some riuer stay their flight; are there compelled by meere de∣speration to doe such actes, as done, while the battell lasted, would haue wonne the victorie: so fell it out with Perseus. In seeking to auoid the danger of that war, whereof hee should haue sought the honour; hee left his friends that would haue stood by him, and gaue them cause to prouide for their owne safetie: yet being ouertaken by necessitie, he chose rather to set his back to the mountaines of Tempe, and defend himselfe with his proper forces; than to bee driuen into such miserie, as was ineuitable, if he gaue a little further ground. What was performed by him or the Romans, all the while that he kept his footing in Thessalie, it is hard to shew [unspec 40] particularly; for that the historie of those things is much perished. Wherefore we must be contented with the summe.

The Consul hauing no desire to fight, vntill such time as all his forces were ar∣riued; kept within his trenches, and lay still encamped by the Riuer of Peneus, a∣bout three miles from Larissa. That which perswaded the Consul to protract the time; did contrariwise incite the King, to put the matter vnto a hasty triall. Where∣fore hee inuited the Romans into the field; by wasting the land of the Pheraeans their confederates. Finding them patient of this indignitie; he grew bold to aduenture euen vnto their trenches: out of which if they issued, it was likely, that his aduan∣tage in horse would make the victorie his owne. At his comming they were trou∣bled; [unspec 50] for that it was sudden: yet no way terrified; as knowing themselues to bee safely lodged. They sent out a few of King Eumenes his horse, and with them some light armed foot, to entertaine skirmish. The Captaine, and some other of these were slaine: but no matter of importance done; for that neither Licinius, nor 〈◊〉〈◊〉,

found it reasonable to hazzard battell. Thus day after day, awhile toge∣ther, Perseus continued offring battaile: which they still refused. Hereby his bold∣nesse much increased; and much more, his reputation: to the griefe of those, who being so farre come to make a Conquest, could ill digest the shame, that fell vpon them by their enduring these brauadoes. The towne of Sycurium, where Perseus then lay, was twelue miles from the Romanes: neither was there any conuenient watering in that long march, which vsed to take vp foure houres of the morning; but he was faine to bring water along with him in carts, that his men might not be both weary and thirstie when they came to fight. For remedie of these inconue∣niences, he found out a lodging, seuen miles neerer to the enemie: whom he visited [unspec 10] the next day by the Sunne rising. His comming at such an vnusuall houre, filled the Campe with tumult: in so much as though hee brought with him onely his horse and light armature, that were vnfit to assaile the trenches, yet the Consull thought it necessary, and resolued to giue checke to his pride. Wherefore he sent foorth his brother C. Licinius, King Eumenes, Attalus, and many braue Captaines, with all his power of horse, his Velites, and all the rest of his light armature to trie their fortune: he himselfe remaining in the Campe, with his Legions in readinesse. The honor of this morning, was the Macedonian Kings; for he obtained the victo∣rie in a manner entire, (though the Thessalians made a good retrait) with little losse of his owne. But he discouered his weaknesse ere night, by hearkening, as Princes [unspec 20] commonly doe, to counsaile giuen by one of his owne temper. For whereas the Romans were in great feare lest he should assault their Campe; and to that purpose, vpon the first newes of his successe, his Phalanx was brought vnto him by the Cap∣taines, though vnsent for: he neuerthelesse tooke it for sound aduice, which indeed was timorous and base, To worke warily, and moderate his victorie; by which meanes it was said, that either he should get honest conditions of peace, or at least∣wise many companions of his fortune. Certainly it was like, that his good fortune would exalt the hope and courage of his friends. Yet had it been greater, and had he wonne the Roman Campe, his friends would haue been the more, and the bol∣der. But ouer-great was his folly, in hoping then for peace: and in suing for it, e∣uen [unspec 30] when he had the victory, what else did he, than proclaim vnto all which would become his partakers, that neither good nor bad fortune should keepe him from yeelding to the Romans, whensoeuer they would be pleased to accept him? At this time the ioy of his victory would admit none of these considerations. Hee had slaine of the Roman horse two hundred, and taken of them prisoners the like num∣ber. Of their foot he had 〈◊〉〈◊〉 about two thousand: losing of his owne no more than twenty horse and fortie foot. The Roman Campe, after this disaster, was full of heauinesse and feare: it being much doubted that the enemie would set vpon it. Eumenes gaue counsaile to dislodge by night, and remooue to a surer place beyond the Riuer Peneus. The Consul, though ashamed to professe, by so doing, in what [unspec 40] feare he stood; yet thought it better to acknowledge the losse past, than by stan∣ding on proud tearmes, to drawe vpon himselfe a greater calamitie. So he passed the Riuer in the dead of the night, and encamped more strongly on the further side. The Aetolians were sorely blamed for this losse: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 if rather a trayterous meaning, than any true feare, had occasioned their flight, wherein the rest of the Greekes followed them. Fiue of them, that were men of especiall marke, had been obserued to be the first which turned their backes: an obseruation likely to cost them deare, at a time of better leisure. As for the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, their vertue was ho∣noured with reward: so as the Greekes might learne, by examples of either kinde, that if they should shunne indignation, or incurre fauour, then must they aduen∣ture [unspec 50] no lesse for their Lords the Romans, than gladly they would doe for their owne libertie. Thus fared it with the Consul and his armie. Perseus came the next day to correct the former dayes errour; which how great it was, hee not vntill then found. The Romans were gotten into a place of safety; whither they could neuer

haue attained, if the King had either pressed his victory, or giuen better heed to them that night: his light armature alone being sufficient to haue rowted them, whilest they were conueying themselues to the other side of Peneus. But it was vaine to tell what might haue been done, since there was no remedie. The Ro∣mans were beaten, euen the flower of their Citie, the Gentlemen of Rome; out of whom were chosen their Senators, and consequently the Generals themselues, Pre∣tors, Consuls, and all that bore office or command among them; yea, they were beaten so shamefully, that they stole away by night, and suffered him to gather vp the spoyles of them without resistance, as yeelding themselues ouercome. With such braue words did the King set out the glory of his action; diuiding the spoiles [unspec 10] among his followers. But there was much wanting within him, to haue made his honor sound. He came neerer to the Romans, and encamped at Mopselus, a place in the mid-way betweene Tempe and Larissa: as if it were his meaning to presse them somewhat harder. Neuerthelesse hee was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 perswaded to vse the occasion, which he seemed to haue, of obtaining peace. Therefore he sent vnto the Con∣sul, and offered to yeeld vnto the same Conditions, wherein his father had beene bound to the Romans; if the war might so take end. It were needlesse here againe to shew the folly of this his course. Towards the accomplishment of this desired peace, there was in the Consul no greater power than to grant a truce, whilest Em∣bassadours might goe to Rome: it resting in the Senate and People to approue the [unspec 20] conditions, and ratifie the league. And of such a truce granted by Martius, he had lately found no smal discommodity redounding. But Licinius dealt plainly, and re∣turned answere, That other hope of peace there was none; saue that Perseus would yeeld both his Kingdome and person, simply and absolutely, to discretion of the Senate. A manly part it was of Licinius, to be so resolute in aduersitie. On the o∣ther side, it argued a very faint heart in Perseus, that hauing receiued an answere so peremptory, hee still persisted, making vaine offers of great tribute. Finding that the peace, which he so much desired, could not be purchased with money, the King withdrew himselfe backe to Sycurium. There he lay hearkening what the Enemie did; whose forces were well repaired by the comming of Misagenes the sonne of [unspec 30] Masanissa, with the aid before mentioned. This distance betweene the King and them, caused the Romans to waxe the more bold in making their 〈◊〉〈◊〉: about which businesse they ranged ouer all the fields. Their carelesse demeanour gaue him hope to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 some notable exploit: which hee attempted, both vpon their Campe, and vpon those that were abroad. The Campe he thought to haue fired on the sudden: but the alarme being taken in good season, hee failed in the enter∣prize. As for the forragers; he had a good hand vpon them, if he could haue with∣drawne it, and giuen ouer in time. But whilest he stroue to force a guard, he was vi∣sited by the Consul; by whom either in a skirmish of horse, or (for the report is diuers) in a great battell, he was ouercome. This misaduenture, whether great [unspec 40] or small, caused Perseus, after a few daies, to fall backe into Macedon; as being na∣turally giuen to feare danger, euen where none was; whereby what losse he felt, will appeare hereafter. He left all behinde him, saue onely Tempe, weakly guarded: and consequently an 〈◊〉〈◊〉 prey to the Romans.

After the Kings departure, Licinius went straight vnto Connus; hoping to haue taken it, and so to haue gotten entrance into Tempe. But finding the work too hard, he returned backe vpon the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and others; from whom he wanne some townes, and among the rest, Larissa. There were sundry townes thereabout, bea∣ring the same name of 〈◊〉〈◊〉: so that this which the Consull tooke, may seeme not to haue belonged vnto the Thessalians; vnlesse, perhaps, after his victory, Per∣seus [unspec 50] did greater Acts than we finde recorded, and got some part of Thessalie.

Of matters happening in Greece at this time, it is hard to giue a precise account; for that the histories of them are greatly defectiue. One may thinke it strange, that the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, whom a Roman Embassador could 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and bring altogether to his

owne will, should not be afraid of a Roman armie, then on foot in 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and a Na∣uie on their coast. But more strange it is, that the Thebans, from whom their de∣pendants were taken by the art of Martius; were more true to Rome, than other pet∣tie townes, which by that same distraction of the Boeotians, became within them∣selues more absolute, than formerly they had beene. The causes hereof were to haue beene sought among the changes happening in their variable factions: wher∣of the knowledge is now lost. Some of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 rebelled, and were throughly punish∣ed by Lucretius the Roman Admirall: who got so much by spoiling them, that he would haue brought others to rebell in like sort, if by extreme oppression hee could haue driuen them so farre. Neither was Licinius the Consul vndiligent in the [unspec 10] same kinde. What his doings were, after such time as he was at leisure from Perse∣us, I finde no where mentioned. Onely this is said in generall; That in the warre which he made he* 1.3 cruelly and couetously demeaned himselfe.

After the same fashion dealt they, that commanded in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 following; Ho∣stilius the Consul, and Hortensius the Admirall, or Praetor of the Fleet. Hostilius shewed more of his industrie, in picking quarrels with the confederats of Rome, than in prosecuting the warre against the Macedonian. For concerning the Roman warre vpon his kingdome, after that the Consul had sought passage in vaine ouer certaine mountaines, Perseus seemed, in a manner,* 1.4 free from it. He was troubled indeed on that side which looked towards Illyria, by Ap. Claudius, whom the Consul sent [unspec 20] thither with an armie of foure thousand, and who, by leauies made vpon the Con∣federates, doubled this his armie. But Claudius thinking to haue taken Vscana, a bor∣der towne of Illyria, by treason, came thither in such carelesse order, that the inha∣bitants which had made shew of treason, with purpose onely to traine him in∣to danger; salied foorth vpon him, ouerthrew him, and chased him so farre, that hardly hee escaped with a fourth part of his company. Yet this towne of Vscana shortly after became Roman: which howsoeuer it happened, Perseus very soone re∣couered it, and many other places therewithall: Cotys, a Thracian king, securing him on the one side of Macedon; and Cephalus an Epirote, reuolted from the Romans, on the other. Perseus likewise made a painefull iourney into Aetolia: where hee was [unspec 30] promised to be admitted into Stratus, that was the strongest Citie in that Region. Of this hope though he were disappointed by those of the Roman faction; yet in his returne home, hee tooke in Aperantia; and shortly heard good newes, That Ap. Claudius was againe throughly beaten by Cleuas, one of his Lieutenants. Such successe had the Macedonian war vnder 〈◊〉〈◊〉. The same Consul offended much the Greekes, by the strict inquisition which his Embassadours made into mens affe∣ction towards Rome. For these Embassadors trauelling thorow all the Cities of Pe∣loponnesus, gaue out speeches tending to shew, That they liked no better of those who sought not by might and maine to aduance their busines, than of those which were of the Macedonian faction. Their meaning was, to haue accused by name, in* 1.5 [unspec 40] the Parliament of Achaia, Lycortas that worthy Commander, who nobly followed the steps of Philopoemen; and together with him, his sonne Polybius, who soone af∣ter was Generall of the Achaean horse, but more notable by that excellent historie which he wrote, than by his great employments, which hee well and honourably discharged. The summe of the accusation should haue beene; That these were not heartie friends vnto the Romans, but such as abstained from raising troubles, more for lacke of opportunitie, than for any loue to the common quiet. But since no colour of truth could bee found, that might giue countenance to such a tale; it was thought better, for the present, to let it alone, and giue gentle words, as if all were well. In like manner dealt they among the Aetolians: They demanded ho∣stages; [unspec 50] and found some in the Councell that approoued the motion: as also among the Acarnanians, there were that entreated to haue Roman garrisons bestowed in their townes. But neither the one nor the other of these propositions tooke effect. They of the Roman faction; accused not only such as were inclinable to the Mace∣donian,

but also the good Patriotes; making it no lesse than a matter of treason, to be a Grecian in Greece. On the contrary side, there wanted not some, who roundly told these pick-thankes of their base flatterie; rating them openly in such sort, that one of them hardly escaped being stoned, euen in presence of the Embassadours. Thus was all full of accusations and excuses: among which the Embassadors carri∣ed themselues, as men that could belecue none ill; though it were well enough knowne what they thought. The best was, that an order from the Senate was brought into Greece, and published, to this effect: That it should bee free for all men, to refuse obedience to any Roman Magistrate, imposing any burthen for the present warre, vnlesse it were such, as the Senate had likewise thought meete. [unspec 10] Of this decree the whole countrie was glad: for it was, or seemed, a good reme∣die of many inconueniences. But they that standing on priuiledge hereof, re∣fused to fulfill euery commandement, were numbered among the Patriotes; which in the end of this warre, prooued little better, if not worse, than to haue been Traytours. The Senate was driuen to set downe this order; by reason of the many and vehement complaints brought to Rome, concerning the wrongs done by Roman Magistrates, and especially by the Admiralls, Lucretius and Hortensius. Lucretius was condemned in a great summe of money, for the wrongs by him done: highly to the commendation of the Romans, in that they loued not to haue their subiects oppressed. Hortensius being still in office, had warning to [unspec 20] amend.

Among the great number of Embassages that came to Rome about this time, ei∣ther to seeke redresse of iniuries, or to offer their seruices: it is note-worthy, that from Alabanda, a towne of the lesser Asia, there was presented vnto the Senate, and well accepted, a most base piece of flatterie. These Alabanders brought three hun∣dred horsemens targets; and a crowne of gold, to bestow vpon Iupiter in the Capi∣tol. But hauing a desire to gratifie the Romans with some exquisite token of their dutifull obedience, wherein they would bee singular; and being not able to reach vnto any great performance: they built a Temple, vnto the Towne Rome, and appointed anniuersarie games to bee celebrated among them, in honour of that [unspec 30] Goddesse. Now who can wonder at the arrogant folly of Alexander, Antigo∣nus, Ptolemie, and the like vaine men, that would bee thought gods; or at the shamelesse flatterie of such as bestowed vpon men, and not the most vertuous of men, diuine honours; when hee sees a Towne of houses, wherein powerfull men dwell, worshipped as a Goddesse, and receiuing (without scorne of the gi∣uers, or shame of the present) the title of Deitie, at the gift of such a rascall Citie as Alabanda? [unspec 40] [unspec 50]

Notes

• * 1.1

  Polyb. Legat. 73. 78. & 80.
• * 1.2

  Polyb. Legat. 77.
• * 1.3

  Liu. lib. 43.
• * 1.4

  Polyb. Legat. 70.
• * 1.5

  Polyb. Legat. 74.