those who, in councils, perplexed and divided the city by their seditious discourses; in order that being paid for their silence, they might not occasion so many distractions in the government. "For it "is much more adviseable, (added he) to stop an "enemy's mouth, than that of a friend." Such was the disinterestedness of Philopomen. Let the reader compare these great and noble sentiments with the baseness of those grovelling wretches whose whole study is to heap up riches.

Thoas had repaired to the court of Antiochus, and by the mighty promises he made that prince, by all he told him concerning the present state of Greece, and especially by the resolutions which had been taken in the general assembly of the Ætolians, he determined him to set out immediately for that country. He went with such precipitation, that he did not give himself time to concert the neces sary measures for so important a war, nor carry with him a sufficient number of troops. He left behind him Lampsacus, Troas, and Smyrna, three powerful cities, which he ought to have reduced before he declared war; but Antiochus, without waiting for the troops that were marching to join him from Syria and the East, brought only ten thousand foot and five hundred horse. These troops would hardly have sufficed, had he been to possess himself only of a naked and defenceless country, without having so formidable an enemy as the Romans to oppose. : He arrived first at Demetrias; and from thence, after receiving the decree which had been sent by the Ætolians and their ambassador, he went to Lamia, where their assembly was held. He was received there with the highest demonstrations of joy. He began with apologizing for his being come with much fewer troops than they expected; insinuating that his expedition was a proof of the zeal he had for their interest, since, at the first signal they gave

m Liv. l. `xxv. n. 43-45·

him, he was come, notwithstanding the inclemency of the season, and without waiting till all things were ready; but that their expectations should soon be answered: That as soon as the season for navigation should arrive, they should see all Greece filled with arms, men, and horses, and all the seacoasts covered with gallies: That he would spare neither expence,. application, nor danger, for the deliverance of Greece, and to acquire the Etolians the first rank in it: That with his numerous armies, there would arrive from Asia munitions of every kind: That all he desired of them was, only to provide his troops with whatever might be necessary for their present subsistence. Having ended his speech he withdrew.

The most judicious in the assembly saw plainly that Antiochus, instead of a real and present suc cour, as he had promised, gave them little more than hopes and promises. They could have wished that they had only chosen him arbiter and mediator between them and the Romans, and not leader of the war. However, Thoas, having gained a majority, caused Antiochus to be nominated generalissimo. Thirty of their principal men were appointed for his council whenever he should think proper to deliberate with them.

A. M. 3813

Ant. J. C.

191.

SECT. VI. Antiochus endeavours to bring over the Achæans to his interest, but in vain. He possesses himself of Chalcis and all Eubea. The Romans proclaim war against him, and send Manius Acilius the consul into Greece. Antiochus makes an ill use of Hannibal's coun sel. He is defeated near Thermopyla. The Etolians submit to the Romans.

THE first subject on which the king and the Etoans deliberated was, with what enterprise to begin first. It was thought adviseable to make a second attempt on Chalcis; and thereupon the troops set out for that city without loss of time. When they were near it, the king permitted the principal Ætolians to have a conference with such citizens of Chalcis, as were come out of it on their arrival. The Etolians urged them in the strongest terms to conclude an alliance with Antiochus, but without breaking their treaty with the Romans. They declared, that this prince was come into Greece, not to make it the seat of war, but actually to deliver it, and not merely in words, as the Romans had done: That nothing could be of greater advantage to the cities of Greece, than to live in amity with both, because that the one would always defend them against the other; and that by this means they would hold both in respect that they would do well to consider, in case they should not agree to the proposal now made them, the great danger to which they would expose themselves; as the aid they might expect from the Romans was at a great distance; whereas the king was present and at their gates.

Miction, one of the principal citizens of Chalcis, replied, that he could not guess what people it was

*Liv. 1. xxxv. n. 46-51. Appian in Syriac. p. 92, 93.

that Antiochus came to deliver, and for whose sake he had left his kingdom, and was come into Greece. That he knew of no city garrisoned by Roman soldiers, nor that paid the least tribute to the Romans, or complained of being oppressed by them. That as for the inhabitants of Chalcis, they had no occasion for a deliverer, as they were free; nor of a defender, as they enjoyed the sweets of peace, under the protection, and with the amity of the Romans: That they did not refuse the amity either of the king or of the Etolians; but that, if they would show themselves friends, the first thing they were desired to do was, to leave their island: That they were fully determined, neither to admit them into their city, nor to make any alliance with them, but in concert with the Romans.

This answer was reported to the king; as he had brought but few troops, and was not able to force the city, he resolved to return to Demetrias. So imprudent and ill concerted a first step did him no honour, and was no good omen with regard to the future.

They had recourse elsewhere, and endeavoured to bring over the Achæans and Athamanians. The former gave audience to the ambassadors of Antiochus and those of the Etolians at Ege; where their assembly was held, in presence of Quintius the Roman general.

Antiochus's ambassador spoke first. He was a vain man (as those generally are who live in the courts and at the expence of princes;) and fancying himself a great orator, he spoke with an absolute and emphatical tone of voice. He told them, that a vast body of cavalry was passing the Hellespont into Europe, consisting partly of cuirassiers, and, partly of bowmen, who, even when they were flying on horseback, turned about, and discharged their

* Is, ut plerique quos opes regiæ alunt vaniloquus, maria terrasque inani sonitu verborum compleverat. Liv.

arrows with the surest aim. To this cavalry, which, according to him, were alone superior to the united forces of Europe, he added a more numerous infantry; the Danæ, the Medes, the Elymæans, the Caddusians, and many other terrible unknown nations. With regard to the fleet, he affirmed it would be so large, that no harbour of Greece could contain it; the right wing to be composed of Tyrians and Sidonians; the left of Aradians and the Sidetes of Pamphylia; nations, who were allowed universally to be the best and most experienced mariners in the world: that it would be to no purpose to enumerate the immense sums which Antiochus was bringing with him, every one knowing, that the kingdoms of Asia, had always abounded in gold: That they were to judge, in proportion, of the rest of the military preparations: that in consequence the Romans would not now have to do with a Philip or an Hannibal; the latter being only a citizen of Carthage, and the former confined within the narrow limits of Macedonia; but with a prince who was sovereign of all Asia and part of Europe; that nevertheless, though he was come from the most remote parts of the East, purely to restore the liberty of Greece, he did not require any article from the Achæans, that should interfere with the fidelity they might imagine they owed the Romans, their first friends and allies: that he did not desire them to unite their arms with his against the people in question, but only to stand neuter, and not declare for either party.

Archidamus, the Etolian ambassador, spoke to the same effect; adding, that the safest and wisest course the Achæans could take, would be, to remain spectators of the war, and to wait in peace for the event, without sharing in it, or incurring any hazard. Then growing warmer as he went on, he threw out invectives and reproaches against the Romans in general, and against Quintius in particular. He called them an ungrateful people, who