However, having reached this decision they sent off Phaeneas and others to accompany Flaccus and convey it at once to Glabrio.
On meeting the general, after again pleading in justification of their conduct, they wound up by saying that the Aetolians had decided to commit themselves to the faith of the Romans.
Upon this Glabrio, taking them up, said, "So that is so, is it, ye men of Aetolia?"
and when they assented, "Very well," he said, "then in the first place none of you must cross to Asia, either on his own account or by public decree;
next you must surrender Dicaearchus and Menestratus of Epirus (the latter had recently come to their assistance at Naupactus) "and at the same time King Amynandres and all the Athamanians who went off to join you together with him."
Phaeneas now interrupted him and said, "But what you demand, O General, is neither just nor Greek."
Glabrio, not so much incensed, as wishing to make them conscious of the real situation they were in and thoroughly intimidate them, said: "So you still give yourselves Grecian airs and speak of what is meet and proper after surrendering unconditionally? I will have you all put in chains if I think fit."
Saying this he ordered a chain to be brought and an iron collar to be put round the neck of each.
Phaeneas and the rest were thunderstruck, and all stood there speechless as if paralysed in body and mind by this extraordinary experience.
But Flaccus and some of the other military tribunes who were present entreated Glabrio not to treat the men with excessive harshness, in view of the fact that they were ambassadors.
Upon his consenting, Phaeneas began to speak. He said that he and the Apocleti would do what Glabrio ordered, but that the consent of the people was required if the orders were to be enforced.
Glabrio now said that he was right, upon which he called for a renewal of the armistice for ten days more. This request also was granted, and they parted on this understanding.
On reaching <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Hypata&groupId=637&placeId=1169">Hypata</a> the envoys informed the Apocleti of what had taken place and what had been said, and it was only now, on hearing all, that the Aetolians became conscious of their mistake and of the constraint now brought to bear on them.
It was therefore decided to write to the towns and call an assembly of the nation to take the demands into consideration.
When the report of the Roman answer was spread abroad, the people became so savage, that no one even would attend the meeting to discuss matters.
As sheer impossibility thus prevented any discussion of the demands, and as at the same time Nicander arrived from Asia Minor at Phalara<note place="end" resp="tr" id="note5">The harbour of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Lamia&groupId=665&placeId=1217">Lamia</a> in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Thessaly&groupId=1028&placeId=1816">Thessaly</a>.</note>in the Melian gulf, from which he had set forth, and informed them of King Antiochus\'s cordial reception of him and his promises of future assistance, they neglected the matter more and more; so that no steps tending to the conclusion of peace were taken.
In consequence, after the termination of the armistice, the Aetolians remained as before in statu belli.
Walbank Commentary