Upon the arrival in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Macedonia&groupId=723&placeId=428">Macedonia</a> of Quintus Marcius and the other Roman legates, Philip entirely evacuated the Greek towns in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Thrace&groupId=1030&placeId=509">Thrace</a>, withdrawing his garrisons, but he relinquished them in a sullen and grumbling spirit and with many sighs.
He also set right all the other matters about which the Romans directed him, as he wished to give no sign of hostility to them and thus gain time to make his preparations for war.
Adhering to his resolve he now made an expedition against the barbarians.
Passing through central <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Thrace&groupId=1030&placeId=509">Thrace</a> he invaded the country of the Odrysians, the Bessi, and the Dentheleti.
On his arrival at <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Philippopolis&groupId=887&placeId=1598">Philippopolis</a>, the inhabitants fled to the hills, and he took the city at once.
After this he raided the whole plain, and, after devastating the lands of some and receiving the submission of others, he returned, leaving in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Philippopolis&groupId=887&placeId=1598">Philippopolis</a> a garrison
which was shortly afterwards expelled by the Odrysians, who broke their pledges to the king.
Walbank Commentary