Polybius, Histories

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Book 21 - Chapter 26

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<w lemma="%2A%28%2Foti">Ὅτι</w> <w lemma="paragenome%2Fnwn">παραγενομένων</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="strathgo%5Cn">στρατηγὸν</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="%2A%28rwmai%2Fwn">Ῥωμαίων</w> <w lemma="e%29c">ἐξ</w> <w lemma="%2A%29hpei%2Frou">Ἠπείρου</w> <w lemma="presbeutw%3Dn">πρεσβευτῶν</w>, <w lemma="e%29koinologei%3Dto">ἐκοινολογεῖτο</w> <w lemma="tou%2Ftois">τούτοις</w> <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="e%29pi%5C">ἐπὶ</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="%2Aai%29twlou%5Cs">Αἰτωλοὺς</w> <w lemma="stratei%2Fas">στρατείας</w>.
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<w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="presbeutw%3Dn">πρεσβευτῶν</w> <w lemma="strateu%2Fein">στρατεύειν</w> <w lemma="e%29pi%5C">ἐπὶ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="%2A%29ambraki%2Fan">Ἀμβρακίαν</w> <w lemma="sumbouleuo%2Fntwn">συμβουλευόντων</w> — <w lemma="sune%2Fbaine">συνέβαινε</w> <w lemma="ga%5Cr">γὰρ</w> <w lemma="to%2Fte">τότε</w> <w lemma="politeu%2Fesqai">πολιτεύεσθαι</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="%2A%29ambrakiw%2Ftas">Ἀμβρακιώτας</w> <w lemma="meta%5C">μετὰ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="%2Aai%29twlw%3Dn">Αἰτωλῶν</w> —
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<w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="fero%2Fntwn">φερόντων</w> <w lemma="a%29pologismou%5Cs">ἀπολογισμοὺς</w> <w lemma="dio%2Fti">διότι</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="ma%2Fxesqai">μάχεσθαι</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="stratope%2Fdois">στρατοπέδοις</w>, <w lemma="e%29a%5Cn">ἐὰν</w> <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="tou%3Dto">τοῦτο</w> <w lemma="bou%2Flwntai">βούλωνται</w> <w lemma="sugkatabai%2Fnein">συγκαταβαίνειν</w> <w lemma="%2Aai%29twloi%2F">Αἰτωλοί</w>, <w lemma="kalli%2Fstous">καλλίστους</w> <w lemma="ei%29%3Dnai">εἶναι</w> <w lemma="to%2Fpous">τόπους</w> <w lemma="sumbai%2Fnei">συμβαίνει</w> <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="proeirhme%2Fnhn">προειρημένην</w> <w lemma="po%2Flin">πόλιν</w>,
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<w lemma="ka%29%5Cn">κἂν</w> <w lemma="a%29podeiliw%3Dsin">ἀποδειλιῶσιν</w>, <w lemma="eu%29fuw%3Ds">εὐφυῶς</w> <w lemma="au%29th%5Cn">αὐτὴν</w> <w lemma="kei%3Dsqai">κεῖσθαι</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="poliorki%2Fan:">πολιορκίαν·</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="ga%5Cr">γὰρ</w> <w lemma="a%29fqo%2Fnous">ἀφθόνους</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fxein">ἔχειν</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="xw%2Fran">χώραν</w> <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="xorhgi%2Fas">χορηγίας</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Frgwn">ἔργων</w> <w lemma="paraskeua%2Fs">παρασκευάς</w>, <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="%2A%29%2Faratqon">Ἄρατθον</w> <w lemma="potamo%5Cn">ποταμὸν</w> <w lemma="r%28e%2Fonta">ῥέοντα</w> <w lemma="para%5C">παρὰ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="po%2Flin">πόλιν</w> <w lemma="sunergh%2Fsein">συνεργήσειν</w> <w lemma="pro%2Fs">πρός</w> <w lemma="te">τε</w> <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="stratope%2Fdou">στρατοπέδου</w> <w lemma="xrei%2Fas">χρείας</w>, <w lemma="a%28%2Fte">ἅτε</w> <w lemma="qe%2Frous">θέρους</w> <w lemma="o%29%2Fntos">ὄντος</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Frgwn">ἔργων</w> <w lemma="a%29sfa%2Fleian:">ἀσφάλειαν·</w> <w lemma="doca%2Fntwn">δοξάντων</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="presbeutw%3Dn">πρεσβευτῶν</w> <w lemma="kalw%3Ds">καλῶς</w> <w lemma="sumbouleu%2Fein">συμβουλεύειν</w>,
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<w lemma="a%29nazeu%2Fcas">ἀναζεύξας</w> <w lemma="o%28">ὁ</w> <w lemma="strathgo%5Cs">στρατηγὸς</w> <w lemma="h%29%3Dge">ἦγε</w> <w lemma="dia%5C">διὰ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="%2A%29hpei%2Frou">Ἠπείρου</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="strato%5Cn">στρατὸν</w> <w lemma="e%29pi%5C">ἐπὶ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="%2A%29ambraki%2Fan">Ἀμβρακίαν</w>.
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<w lemma="a%29fiko%2Fmenos">ἀφικόμενος</w> <w lemma="de%2F">δέ</w>, <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="%2Aai%29twlw%3Dn">Αἰτωλῶν</w> <w lemma="ou%29">οὐ</w> <w lemma="tolmw%2Fntwn">τολμώντων</w> <w lemma="a%29panta%3Dn">ἀπαντᾶν</w>, <w lemma="perih%2F%7Cei">περιῄει</w> <w lemma="katopteu%2Fwn">κατοπτεύων</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="po%2Flin">πόλιν</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="e%29nh%2Frgei">ἐνήργει</w> <w lemma="ta%5C">τὰ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="poliorki%2Fas">πολιορκίας</w> <w lemma="filoti%2Fmws">φιλοτίμως</w>.
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<w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="oi%28">οἱ</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="u%28po%5C">ὑπὸ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="%2Aai%29twlw%3Dn">Αἰτωλῶν</w> <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="%2A%28rw%2Fmhn">Ῥώμην</w> <w lemma="a%29postale%2Fntes">ἀποσταλέντες</w> <w lemma="pre%2Fsbeis">πρέσβεις</w>, <w lemma="parathrhqe%2Fntes">παρατηρηθέντες</w> <w lemma="u%28po%5C">ὑπὸ</w> <w lemma="%2Asibu%2Frtou">Σιβύρτου</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="%2Apetrai%2Fou">Πετραίου</w> <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="%2Akefallhni%2Fan">Κεφαλληνίαν</w>, <w lemma="kath%2Fxqhsan">κατήχθησαν</w> <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="%2Axa%2Fradron">Χάραδρον</w>.
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<w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="d%27">δ᾽</w> <w lemma="%2A%29hpeirw%2Ftais">Ἠπειρώταις</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fdocen">ἔδοξεν</w> <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="a%29rxa%5Cs">ἀρχὰς</w> <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="%2Abou%2Fxeton">Βούχετον</w> <w lemma="a%29poqe%2Fsqai">ἀποθέσθαι</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="fula%2Fttein">φυλάττειν</w> <w lemma="e%29pimelw%3Ds">ἐπιμελῶς</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="a%29%2Fndras:">ἄνδρας·</w> <w lemma="meta%5C">μετὰ</w> <w lemma="de%2F">δέ</w> <w lemma="tinas">τινας</w> <w lemma="h%28me%2Fras">ἡμέρας</w> <w lemma="a%29ph%2F%7Ctoun">ἀπῄτουν</w> <w lemma="au%29tou%5Cs">αὐτοὺς</w> <w lemma="lu%2Ftra">λύτρα</w> <w lemma="dia%5C">διὰ</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="po%2Flemon">πόλεμον</w> <w lemma="u%28pa%2Frxein">ὑπάρχειν</w> <w lemma="sfi%2Fsin">σφίσιν</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="%2Aai%29twlou%2Fs">Αἰτωλούς</w>.
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<w lemma="sune%2Fbaine">συνέβαινε</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="%2A%29ale%2Fcandron">Ἀλέξανδρον</w> <w lemma="plousiw%2Ftaton">πλουσιώτατον</w> <w lemma="ei%29%3Dnai">εἶναι</w> <w lemma="pa%2Fntwn">πάντων</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="%2A%28ellh%2Fnwn">Ἑλλήνων</w>, <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="loipou%5Cs">λοιποὺς</w> <w lemma="ou%29">οὐ</w> <w lemma="kaqusterei%3Dn">καθυστερεῖν</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="bi%2Fois">βίοις</w>, <w lemma="polu%5C">πολὺ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="lei%2Fpesqai">λείπεσθαι</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="proeirhme%2Fnou">προειρημένου</w> <w lemma="tai%3Ds">ταῖς</w> <w lemma="ou%29si%2Fais">οὐσίαις</w>.
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<w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="prw%3Dton">πρῶτον</w> <w lemma="e%29ke%2Fleuon">ἐκέλευον</w> <w lemma="e%28%2Fkaston">ἕκαστον</w> <w lemma="a%29podou%3Dnai">ἀποδοῦναι</w> <w lemma="pe%2Fnte">πέντε</w> <w lemma="ta%2Flanta">τάλαντα</w>. <w lemma="tou%3Dto">τοῦτο</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="a%29%2Fllois">ἄλλοις</w> <w lemma="ou%29d%27">οὐδ᾽</w> <w lemma="o%28%2Flws">ὅλως</w> <w lemma="a%29ph%2Fresken">ἀπήρεσκεν</w>, <w lemma="a%29ll%27">ἀλλ᾽</w> <w lemma="e%29bou%2Flonto">ἐβούλοντο</w>, <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="plei%2Fstou">πλείστου</w> <w lemma="poiou%2Fmenoi">ποιούμενοι</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="sfw%3Dn">σφῶν</w> <w lemma="au%29tw%3Dn">αὐτῶν</w> <w lemma="swthri%2Fan:">σωτηρίαν·</w>
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<w lemma="o%28">ὁ</w> <w lemma="d%27">δ᾽</w> <w lemma="%2A%29ale%2Fcandros">Ἀλέξανδρος</w> <w lemma="ou%29k">οὐκ</w> <w lemma="a%29%5Cn">ἂν</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Ffh">ἔφη</w> <w lemma="sugxwrh%3Dsai">συγχωρῆσαι</w>, <w lemma="polu%5C">πολὺ</w> <w lemma="ga%5Cr">γὰρ</w> <w lemma="ei%29%3Dnai">εἶναι</w> <w lemma="ta%29rgu%2Frion">τἀργύριον</w> [<w lemma="fai%2Fnetai">φαίνεται</w>], <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="nu%2Fktas">νύκτας</w> <w lemma="diagrupnw%3Dn">διαγρυπνῶν</w> <w lemma="diwlofu%2Freto">διωλοφύρετο</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="au%28to%2Fn">αὑτόν</w>, <w lemma="ei%29">εἰ</w> <w lemma="deh%2Fsei">δεήσει</w> <w lemma="pe%2Fnte">πέντε</w> <w lemma="ta%2Flanta">τάλαντα</w> <w lemma="kataba%2Fllein">καταβάλλειν</w>.
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<w lemma="oi%28">οἱ</w> <w lemma="d%27">δ᾽</w> <w lemma="%2A%29hpeirw%3Dtai">Ἠπειρῶται</w> <w lemma="proorw%2Fmenoi">προορώμενοι</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="me%2Fllon">μέλλον</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="diagwniw%3Dntes">διαγωνιῶντες</w> <w lemma="mh%5C">μὴ</w> <w lemma="gno%2Fntes">γνόντες</w> <w lemma="oi%28">οἱ</w> <w lemma="%2A%28rwmai%3Doi">Ῥωμαῖοι</w> <w lemma="dio%2Fti">διότι</w> <w lemma="presbeu%2Fontas">πρεσβεύοντας</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="au%29tou%5Cs">αὐτοὺς</w> <w lemma="katesxh%2Fkasi">κατεσχήκασι</w>, <w lemma="ka%29%2Fpeita">κἄπειτα</w> <w lemma="gra%2Fyantes">γράψαντες</w> <w lemma="parakalw%3Dsi">παρακαλῶσι</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="keleu%2Fwsin">κελεύωσιν</w> <w lemma="a%29polu%2Fein">ἀπολύειν</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="a%29%2Fndras">ἄνδρας</w>, <w lemma="sugkataba%2Fntes">συγκαταβάντες</w> <w lemma="tri%2Fa">τρία</w> <w lemma="ta%2Flanta">τάλαντα</w> <w lemma="pa%2Flin">πάλιν</w> <w lemma="a%29ph%2F%7Ctoun">ἀπῄτουν</w> <w lemma="e%28%2Fkaston">ἕκαστον</w>.
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<w lemma="a%29sme%2Fnws">ἀσμένως</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="a%29%2Fllwn">ἄλλων</w> <w lemma="prosdecame%2Fnwn">προσδεξαμένων</w>, <w lemma="ou%28%3Dtoi">οὗτοι</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="diegguhqe%2Fntes">διεγγυηθέντες</w> <w lemma="e%29panh%3Dlqon">ἐπανῆλθον</w>, <w lemma="o%28">ὁ</w> <w lemma="d%27">δ᾽</w> <w lemma="%2A%29ale%2Fcandros">Ἀλέξανδρος</w> <w lemma="ou%29k">οὐκ</w> <w lemma="a%29%5Cn">ἂν</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Ffh">ἔφη</w> <w lemma="dou%3Dnai">δοῦναι</w> <w lemma="plei%3Don">πλεῖον</w> <w lemma="tala%2Fntou:">ταλάντου·</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="ga%5Cr">γὰρ</w> <w lemma="tou%3Dt%27">τοῦτ᾽</w> <w lemma="ei%29%3Dnai">εἶναι</w> <w lemma="polu%2F">πολύ</w>.
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<w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="te%2Flos">τέλος</w> <w lemma="a%29pognou%5Cs">ἀπογνοὺς</w> <w lemma="au%28to%5Cn">αὑτὸν</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fmeinen">ἔμεινεν</w> <w lemma="e%29n">ἐν</w> <w lemma="th%3D%7C">τῇ</w> <w lemma="fulakh%3D%7C">φυλακῇ</w>, <w lemma="presbu%2Fteros">πρεσβύτερος</w> <w lemma="a%29%2Fnqrwpos">ἄνθρωπος</w>, <w lemma="pleio%2Fnwn">πλειόνων</w> <w lemma="h%29%5C">ἢ</w> <w lemma="diakosi%2Fwn">διακοσίων</w> <w lemma="tala%2Fntwn">ταλάντων</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fxwn">ἔχων</w> <w lemma="ou%29si%2Fan:">οὐσίαν·</w> <w lemma="kai%2F">καί</w> <w lemma="moi">μοι</w> <w lemma="dokei%3D">δοκεῖ</w> <w lemma="ka%29%5Cn">κἂν</w> <w lemma="e%29klipei%3Dn">ἐκλιπεῖν</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="bi%2Fon">βίον</w> <w lemma="e%29f%27">ἐφ᾽</w> <w lemma="w%28%3D%7C">ᾧ</w> <w lemma="mh%5C">μὴ</w> <w lemma="dou%3Dnai">δοῦναι</w> <w lemma="ta%5C">τὰ</w> <w lemma="tri%2Fa">τρία</w> <w lemma="ta%2Flanta">τάλαντα</w>.
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<w lemma="tosau%2Fth">τοσαύτη</w> <w lemma="tis">τις</w> <w lemma="e%29ni%2Fois">ἐνίοις</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="plei%3Don">πλεῖον</w> <w lemma="o%28rmh%5C">ὁρμὴ</w> <w lemma="pari%2Fstatai">παρίσταται</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="proqumi%2Fa">προθυμία</w>.
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<w lemma="to%2Fte">τότε</w> <w lemma="d%27">δ᾽</w> <w lemma="e%29kei%2Fnw%7C">ἐκείνῳ</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="tau%29to%2Fmaton">ταὐτόματον</w> <w lemma="sunh%2Frghsen">συνήργησεν</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="filarguri%2Fan">φιλαργυρίαν</w>, <w lemma="w%28%2Fste">ὥστε</w> <w lemma="para%5C">παρὰ</w> <w lemma="pa%3Dsin">πᾶσιν</w> <w lemma="e%29pai%2Fnou">ἐπαίνου</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="sugkataqe%2Fsews">συγκαταθέσεως</w> <w lemma="tuxei%3Dn">τυχεῖν</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="a%29logisti%2Fan">ἀλογιστίαν</w> <w lemma="au%29tou%3D">αὐτοῦ</w> <w lemma="dia%5C">διὰ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="peripe%2Fteian:">περιπέτειαν·</w>
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<w lemma="meta%5C">μετὰ</w> <w lemma="ga%5Cr">γὰρ</w> <w lemma="o%29li%2Fgas">ὀλίγας</w> <w lemma="h%28me%2Fras">ἡμέρας</w> <w lemma="gramma%2Ftwn">γραμμάτων</w> <w lemma="paragenhqe%2Fntwn">παραγενηθέντων</w> <w lemma="e%29k">ἐκ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="%2A%28rw%2Fmhs">Ῥώμης</w> <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="a%29fe%2Fsews">ἀφέσεως</w>, <w lemma="au%29to%5Cs">αὐτὸς</w> <w lemma="mo%2Fnos">μόνος</w> <w lemma="a%29pelu%2Fqh">ἀπελύθη</w> <w lemma="xwri%5Cs">χωρὶς</w> <w lemma="lu%2Ftrwn">λύτρων</w>.
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<w lemma="oi%28">οἱ</w> <w lemma="d%27">δ᾽</w> <w lemma="%2Aai%29twloi%2F">Αἰτωλοί</w>, <w lemma="gno%2Fntes">γνόντες</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="au%29tou%3D">αὐτοῦ</w> <w lemma="peripe%2Fteian">περιπέτειαν</w>, <w lemma="%2Adamote%2Flh">Δαμοτέλη</w> <w lemma="proexeiri%2Fsanto">προεχειρίσαντο</w> <w lemma="pa%2Flin">πάλιν</w> <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="%2A%28rw%2Fmhn">Ῥώμην</w> <w lemma="presbeuth%2Fn">πρεσβευτήν</w>.
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<w lemma="o%28%5Cs">ὃς</w> <w lemma="e%29kpleu%2Fsas">ἐκπλεύσας</w> <w lemma="me%2Fxri">μέχρι</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="%2Aleuka%2Fdos">Λευκάδος</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="gnou%5Cs">γνοὺς</w> <w lemma="proa%2Fgonta">προάγοντα</w> <w lemma="dia%5C">διὰ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="%2A%29hpei%2Frou">Ἠπείρου</w> <w lemma="meta%5C">μετὰ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="duna%2Fmewn">δυνάμεων</w> <w lemma="%2Ama%2Frkon">Μάρκον</w> <w lemma="e%29pi%5C">ἐπὶ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="%2A%29ambraki%2Fan">Ἀμβρακίαν</w>, <w lemma="a%29pognou%5Cs">ἀπογνοὺς</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="presbei%2Fan">πρεσβείαν</w> <w lemma="au%29%3Dqis">αὖθις</w> <w lemma="a%29nexw%2Frhsen">ἀνεχώρησεν</w> <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="%2Aai%29twli%2Fan">Αἰτωλίαν</w>. —
Upon envoys from Epirus reaching the Roman consul he took their advice about his expedition to Aetolia.
These envoys recommended him to march on Ambracia — for at the time the Ambracians were members of the Aetolian League —
alleging that if the Aetolians were disposed to meet his legions in the field, the country round that city was the best for the purpose;
but that if they declined to give battle, the situation of the town itself made it easy to besiege it, since the country afforded abundant material for the construction of siege-works and the river Aratthus, which ran under its walls, would be of help to him both as a source of water supply to his army, it being now summer, and a defence of their works.
The advice they gave was considered good, and the consul led his army through Epirus to Ambracia.
On arriving there and on the Aetolians not venturing to meet him, he went round the city to survey it and made energetic preparations for its siege.
Meanwhile the envoys sent by the Aetolians to <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a> were observed and caught by Syburtes of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Petra&groupId=210&placeId=459">Petra</a> off <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Cephallenia&groupId=450&placeId=838">Cephallenia</a> and were brought in to Charadrus.
The Epirots at first decided to lodge them in Buchetus and keep careful guard over them, but after some days they demanded ransom for them, as they were at war with the Aetolians.
Alexander happened to be the richest man in Greece and the others were not badly off, but far poorer than he was.
At first the Epirots demanded five talents from each, which the others were not entirely disposed to pay, but rather wished to do so, as they valued their safety above all things.
Alexander, however, said he would not yield to the demand, as the sum was too large, and spent sleepless nights bewailing his mischance if he had to pay five talents.
The Epirots, foreseeing what was, as a fact, about to happen, and fearing much lest the Romans, on learning that they had arrested envoys on their way to <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a>, might write and demand their release, reduced their demand to three talents for each envoy.
The others were only too glad to accept, and were allowed to depart after giving surety, but Alexander said he would not pay more than a talent, and even that was too much.
Finally he gave up all hope, and remained in prison, being then advanced in years and possessing a fortune of more than two hundred talents. And, I think, he would have perished rather than pay the three talents:
so strong is the impulse and so great the eagerness of some people to make money.
In this case, however, chance furthered his cupidity, so that, owing to the outcome, this foolish avarice met with universal praise and approval;
for a few days afterwards a letter arrived from <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a> ordering the envoys to be liberated, and he alone escaped without paying ransom.
The Aetolians when they heard of the misfortune that had befallen him appointed Damoteles again ambassador to <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a>;
but having sailed as far as Leucas he heard that Marcus Fulvius was advancing through Epirus with his army on Ambracia, and abandoning his mission returned to Aetolia.