These envoys, then, taking with them those of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Athens&groupId=379&placeId=715">Athens</a> and <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rhodes&groupId=931&placeId=1665">Rhodes</a>, sailed on their mission;
and Fulvius also sent Gaius Valerius Laevinus and some others to further the peace.
But when they reached <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a> the anger of the People against Aetolia had been revived by King Philip,
who, thinking that the Aetolians had unjustly deprived him of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Athamania&groupId=377&placeId=710">Athamania</a> and Dolopia, sent messages to his friends at <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a> begging them to participate in his indignation and refuse to accept the peace.
In consequence when the Aetolians were admitted, the senate paid little heed to them; but when the Rhodians and Athenians spoke on their behalf, they grew more respectful and listened to them with attention.
And indeed Leon, son of Kichesias, who followed Damon, was judged to have spoken well on the whole and to have employed in his speech a similitude apt to the present case.
He said that they were justified in being angry with the Aetolians; for that people after receiving many benefits from the Romans had not shown any gratitude for them but had much endangered the Roman supremacy by stirring up the war against Antiochus.
In one respect, however, the senate was wrong and that was in being wroth with the populace.
For what happened in states to the people was very much the same as what befalls the sea.
The sea by its proper nature was always calm and at rest, and in general of such a character that it would never give trouble to any of those who approach it and make use of it;
but when violent winds fall upon it and stir it up, compelling it to move contrary to its own nature, nothing was more terrible and appalling than the sea. "And this," he said, "is just what has happened to the Aetolians.
As long as no one tampered with them, they were of all the Greeks your most warm and trustworthy supporters.
But when Thoas and Dicaearchus, blowing from Asia, and Menestas and Damocritus from Europe stirred up the people and compelled them, contrary to their nature, to become reckless in word and deed,
then of a truth in their folly the Aetolians desired to do you evil but brought evil on their own heads.
Therefore, while being implacable to the men who instigated them, you should take pity on the people, and make peace with them, well knowing, that when again they have none to tamper with them and once more owe their preservation to you, they will again be the best disposed to you of all the Greeks."
By this speech the Athenian envoy persuaded the Senate to make peace with the Aetolians.
Walbank Commentary