<head>Antiochus negotiates</head>King Antiochus had entered the territory of Pergamus, where hearing of the arrival of King Eumenes, and seeing that both the naval and military forces were coming up to the assistance of that prince, was desirous of making proposals for peace simultaneously to the Romans, to Eumenes and to the Rhodians.
Setting out, then, with his whole army he came to Elaea, and seizing on an eminence opposite the town, established his infantry there, encamping his cavalry, more than six thousand in number, under the walls of the town.
He accompanied the latter force, and sent a messenger to Lucius Aemilius, who was within the town, on the subject of peace.
The Roman general, summoning Eumenes and the Rhodians to meet him, begged them to give him their view of the situation.
Eudamus and Pamphilidas were not opposed to peace, but the king said that for the present peace neither befitted their dignity nor was possible.
"For how," he said, "can the result fail to be undignified if we make peace while we are shut up within the walls?
And indeed how is it even possible for the present? For how can we, unless we await the arrival of a general of consular rank, confirm any agreement we arrive at without his consent?
And, apart from this, if we managed at all to come to some semblance of an agreement with Antiochus, I scarcely suppose that your naval and military forces can return home, unless the Senate and People ratify your decision.
All that will be left for you to do, then, is to spend the winter here awaiting their pronouncement, perfectly inactive, but exhausting the stores and material of your allies;
and afterwards, if the Senate does not approve of your making peace, you will have to begin the war afresh from the beginning, after having thrown away the present opportunity we have of putting an end by the grace of God to the whole business."
Eumenes spoke so, and Aemilius, approving his advice, replied to Antiochus that it was impossible for peace to be made before the arrival of the proconsul.
Antiochus, on hearing this, at once began to lay waste the territory of Elaea.
After this, while Seleucus remained in this neighbourhood, Antiochus made constant incursions into the so‑called plain of Thebe,
and lighting upon this most fertile district, abounding in produce, plentifully supplied his army with every variety of booty.
Walbank Commentary