Polybius, Histories

Translation

Book 23 - Chapter 9

<head lang="la">B. Olymp. 149, 2. I. Res Italiae</head><w lemma="%2A%28%2Foti">Ὅτι</w> <w lemma="kata%5C">κατὰ</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="deu%2Fteron">δεύτερον</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Ftos">ἔτος</w> <w lemma="h%28">ἡ</w> <w lemma="su%2Fgklhtos">σύγκλητος</w>, <w lemma="paragenome%2Fnwn">παραγενομένων</w> <w lemma="pre%2Fsbewn">πρέσβεων</w> <w lemma="par%27">παρ᾽</w> <w lemma="%2Aeu%29me%2Fnous">Εὐμένους</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="%2Afarna%2Fkou">Φαρνάκου</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="%2Afili%2Fppou">Φιλίππου</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="para%5C">παρὰ</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="%2A%29axaiw%3Dn">Ἀχαιῶν</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fqnous">ἔθνους</w>, <w lemma="e%29%2Fti">ἔτι</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="para%5C">παρὰ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="e%29k">ἐκ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="%2Alakedai%2Fmonos">Λακεδαίμονος</w> <w lemma="e%29kpeptwko%2Ftwn">ἐκπεπτωκότων</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="para%5C">παρὰ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="katexo%2Fntwn">κατεχόντων</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="po%2Flin">πόλιν</w>, <w lemma="e%29xrhma%2Ftise">ἐχρημάτισε</w> <w lemma="tou%2Ftois">τούτοις</w>.

<w lemma="h%28%3Dkon">ἧκον</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="%2A%28ro%2Fdioi">Ῥόδιοι</w> <w lemma="presbeu%2Fontes">πρεσβεύοντες</w> <w lemma="u%28pe%5Cr">ὑπὲρ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="%2Asinwpe%2Fwn">Σινωπέων</w> <w lemma="a%29tuxi%2Fas">ἀτυχίας</w>.

<w lemma="tou%2Ftois">τούτοις</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="ou%29%3Dn">οὖν</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="par%27">παρ᾽</w> <w lemma="%2Aeu%29me%2Fnous">Εὐμένους</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="%2Afarna%2Fkou">Φαρνάκου</w> <w lemma="presbeu%2Fousin">πρεσβεύουσιν</w> <w lemma="h%28">ἡ</w> <w lemma="su%2Fgklhtos">σύγκλητος</w> <w lemma="a%29pekri%2Fqh">ἀπεκρίθη</w> <w lemma="dio%2Fti">διότι</w> <w lemma="pe%2Fmyei">πέμψει</w> <w lemma="presbeuta%5Cs">πρεσβευτὰς</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="e%29piskeyome%2Fnous">ἐπισκεψομένους</w> <w lemma="peri%2F">περί</w> <w lemma="te">τε</w> <w lemma="%2Asinwpe%2Fwn">Σινωπέων</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="basileu%3Dsin">βασιλεῦσιν</w> <w lemma="a%29mfisbhtoume%2Fnwn">ἀμφισβητουμένων</w>.

<w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="%2Akoi+%2Fntou">Κοΐντου</w> <w lemma="%2Amarki%2Fou">Μαρκίου</w> <w lemma="prosfa%2Ftws">προσφάτως</w> <w lemma="e%29k">ἐκ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="%2A%28ella%2Fdos">Ἑλλάδος</w> <w lemma="paragegono%2Ftos">παραγεγονότος</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="peri%2F">περί</w> <w lemma="te">τε</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="e%29n">ἐν</w> <w lemma="%2Amakedoni%2Fa%7C">Μακεδονίᾳ</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="e%29n">ἐν</w> <w lemma="%2Apeloponnh%2Fsw%7C">Πελοποννήσῳ</w> <w lemma="diasesafhko%2Ftos">διασεσαφηκότος</w>, <w lemma="ou%29ke%2Fti">οὐκέτι</w> <w lemma="pollw%3Dn">πολλῶν</w> <w lemma="prosedeh%2Fqh">προσεδεήθη</w> <w lemma="lo%2Fgwn">λόγων</w> <w lemma="h%28">ἡ</w> <w lemma="su%2Fgklhtos">σύγκλητος</w>,

<w lemma="a%29ll%27">ἀλλ᾽</w> <w lemma="ei%29skalesame%2Fnh">εἰσκαλεσαμένη</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="a%29po%5C">ἀπὸ</w> <w lemma="%2Apeloponnh%2Fsou">Πελοποννήσου</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="%2Amakedoni%2Fas">Μακεδονίας</w> <w lemma="presbeu%2Fontas">πρεσβεύοντας</w> <w lemma="dih%2Fkouse">διήκουσε</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="lo%2Fgwn">λόγων</w>, <w lemma="ta%2Fs">τάς</w> <w lemma="ge">γε</w> <w lemma="mh%5Cn">μὴν</w> <w lemma="a%29pokri%2Fseis">ἀποκρίσεις</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fdwke">ἔδωκε</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="dia%2Flhyin">διάληψιν</w> <w lemma="e%29poih%2Fsato">ἐποιήσατο</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="pragma%2Ftwn">πραγμάτων</w> <w lemma="ou%29">οὐ</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="presbeutw%3Dn">πρεσβευτῶν</w> <w lemma="lo%2Fgous">λόγους</w>, <w lemma="a%29lla%5C">ἀλλὰ</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="a%29popresbei%2Fan">ἀποπρεσβείαν</w> <w lemma="a%28rmosame%2Fnh">ἁρμοσαμένη</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="%2Amarki%2Fou">Μαρκίου</w>.

<w lemma="o%28%5Cs">ὃς</w> <w lemma="u%28pe%5Cr">ὑπὲρ</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="%2Afili%2Fppou">Φιλίππου</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="basile%2Fws">βασιλέως</w> <w lemma="a%29phgge%2Flkei">ἀπηγγέλκει</w> <w lemma="dio%2Fti">διότι</w> <w lemma="pepoi%2Fhke">πεποίηκε</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="ta%5C">τὰ</w> <w lemma="prostatto%2Fmena">προσταττόμενα</w>, <w lemma="pepoi%2Fhke">πεποίηκε</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="ta%5C">τὰ</w> <w lemma="pa%2Fnta">πάντα</w> <w lemma="baruno%2Fmenos">βαρυνόμενος</w>, <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="kaqo%2Fti">καθότι</w> <w lemma="labw%5Cn">λαβὼν</w> <w lemma="kairo%5Cn">καιρὸν</w> <w lemma="pa%3Dn">πᾶν</w> <w lemma="ti">τι</w> <w lemma="poih%2Fsei">ποιήσει</w> <w lemma="kata%5C">κατὰ</w> <w lemma="%2A%28rwmai%2Fwn">Ῥωμαίων</w>.

<w lemma="dio%5C">διὸ</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="para%5C">παρὰ</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="%2Afili%2Fppou">Φιλίππου</w> <w lemma="presbeutai%3Ds">πρεσβευταῖς</w> <w lemma="toiau%2Fthn">τοιαύτην</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fdwke">ἔδωκε</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="a%29po%2Fkrisin">ἀπόκρισιν</w>, <w lemma="di%27">δι᾽</w> <w lemma="h%28%3Ds">ἧς</w> <w lemma="e%29pi%5C">ἐπὶ</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="gegono%2Fsin">γεγονόσιν</w> <w lemma="e%29ph%2F%7Cnei">ἐπῄνει</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="%2Afi%2Flippon">Φίλιππον</w>, <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="loipo%5Cn">λοιπὸν</w> <w lemma="w%29%2F%7Ceto">ᾤετο</w> <w lemma="dei%3Dn">δεῖν</w> <w lemma="prose%2Fxein">προσέχειν</w> <w lemma="au%29to%5Cn">αὐτὸν</w> <w lemma="i%28%2Fna">ἵνα</w> <w lemma="mhde%5Cn">μηδὲν</w> <w lemma="u%28penanti%2Fon">ὑπεναντίον</w> <w lemma="fai%2Fnhtai">φαίνηται</w> <w lemma="pra%2Fttwn">πράττων</w> <w lemma="%2A%28rwmai%2Fois">Ῥωμαίοις</w>.

<w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="kata%5C">κατὰ</w> <w lemma="%2Apelopo%2Fnnhson">Πελοπόννησον</w> <w lemma="o%28">ὁ</w> <w lemma="%2Ama%2Frkios">Μάρκιος</w> <w lemma="toiau%2Fthn">τοιαύτην</w> <w lemma="e%29pepoi%2Fhto">ἐπεποίητο</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="a%29paggeli%2Fan">ἀπαγγελίαν</w> <w lemma="dio%2Fti">διότι</w>, <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="%2A%29axaiw%3Dn">Ἀχαιῶν</w> <w lemma="ou%29">οὐ</w> <w lemma="boulome%2Fnwn">βουλομένων</w> <w lemma="a%29nafe%2Frein">ἀναφέρειν</w> <w lemma="ou%29de%5Cn">οὐδὲν</w> <w lemma="e%29pi%5C">ἐπὶ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="su%2Fgklhton">σύγκλητον</w>, <w lemma="a%29lla%5C">ἀλλὰ</w> <w lemma="fronhmatizome%2Fnwn">φρονηματιζομένων</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="pa%2Fnta">πάντα</w> <w lemma="di%27">δι᾽</w> <w lemma="e%28autw%3Dn">ἑαυτῶν</w> <w lemma="pra%2Fttein">πράττειν</w> <w lemma="e%29piballome%2Fnwn">ἐπιβαλλομένων</w>,

<w lemma="e%29a%5Cn">ἐὰν</w> <w lemma="parakou%2Fswsi">παρακούσωσι</w> <w lemma="mo%2Fnon">μόνον</w> <w lemma="au%29tw%3Dn">αὐτῶν</w> <w lemma="kata%5C">κατὰ</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="paro%5Cn">παρὸν</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="braxei%3Dan">βραχεῖαν</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fmfasin">ἔμφασιν</w> <w lemma="poih%2Fswsin">ποιήσωσιν</w> <w lemma="dusaresth%2Fsews">δυσαρεστήσεως</w>, <w lemma="taxe%2Fws">ταχέως</w> <w lemma="h%28">ἡ</w> <w lemma="%2Alakedai%2Fmwn">Λακεδαίμων</w> <w lemma="th%3D%7C">τῇ</w> <w lemma="%2Amessh%2Fnh%7C">Μεσσήνῃ</w> <w lemma="sumfronh%2Fsei">συμφρονήσει</w>.

<w lemma="tou%2Ftou">τούτου</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="genome%2Fnou">γενομένου</w> <w lemma="meta%5C">μετὰ</w> <w lemma="mega%2Flhs">μεγάλης</w> <w lemma="xa%2Fritos">χάριτος</w> <w lemma="h%28%2Fcein">ἥξειν</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="%2A%29axaiou%5Cs">Ἀχαιοὺς</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Ffh">ἔφη</w> <w lemma="katapefeugo%2Ftas">καταπεφευγότας</w> <w lemma="e%29pi%5C">ἐπὶ</w> <w lemma="%2A%28rwmai%2Fous">Ῥωμαίους</w>.

<w lemma="dio%2Fti">διότι</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="e%29k">ἐκ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="%2Alakedai%2Fmonos">Λακεδαίμονος</w> <w lemma="a%29pekri%2Fqhsan">ἀπεκρίθησαν</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="%2Ash%2Frippon">Σήριππον</w>, <w lemma="boulo%2Fmenoi">βουλόμενοι</w> <w lemma="mete%2Fwron">μετέωρον</w> <w lemma="e%29a%3Dsai">ἐᾶσαι</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="po%2Flin">πόλιν</w>, <w lemma="dio%2Fti">διότι</w> <w lemma="pa%2Fnta">πάντα</w> <w lemma="pepoih%2Fkasin">πεποιήκασιν</w> <w lemma="au%29toi%3Ds">αὐτοῖς</w> <w lemma="ta%5C">τὰ</w> <w lemma="dunata%2F">δυνατά</w>, <w lemma="kata%5C">κατὰ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="paro%5Cn">παρὸν</w> <w lemma="ou%29">οὐ</w> <w lemma="nomi%2Fzousin">νομίζουσιν</w> <w lemma="ei%29%3Dnai">εἶναι</w> <w lemma="tou%3Dto">τοῦτο</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="pra%3Dgma">πρᾶγμα</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="au%28tou%2Fs">αὑτούς</w>.

<w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="d%27">δ᾽</w> <w lemma="%2A%29axaiw%3Dn">Ἀχαιῶν</w> <w lemma="parakalou%2Fntwn">παρακαλούντων</w>, <w lemma="ei%29">εἰ</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="dunato%2Fn">δυνατόν</w> <w lemma="e%29stin">ἐστιν</w>, <w lemma="boh%2Fqeian">βοήθειαν</w> <w lemma="au%29toi%3Ds">αὐτοῖς</w> <w lemma="pe%2Fmyai">πέμψαι</w> <w lemma="kata%5C">κατὰ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="summaxi%2Fan">συμμαχίαν</w> <w lemma="e%29pi%5C">ἐπὶ</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="%2Amesshni%2Fous">Μεσσηνίους</w>, <w lemma="ei%29">εἰ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="mh%2F">μή</w>, <w lemma="pronohqh%3Dnai">προνοηθῆναι</w> <w lemma="g%27">γ᾽</w> <w lemma="i%28%2Fna">ἵνα</w> <w lemma="mhqei%5Cs">μηθεὶς</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="e%29c">ἐξ</w> <w lemma="%2A%29itali%2Fas">Ἰταλίας</w> <w lemma="mh%2Fq%27">μήθ᾽</w> <w lemma="o%28%2Fpla">ὅπλα</w> <w lemma="mh%2Fte">μήτε</w> <w lemma="si%3Dton">σῖτον</w> <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="%2Amessh%2Fnhn">Μεσσήνην</w> <w lemma="ei%29saga%2Fgh%7C">εἰσαγάγῃ</w>, <w lemma="tou%2Ftwn">τούτων</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="ou%29deni%5C">οὐδενὶ</w> <w lemma="prosei%3Dxon">προσεῖχον</w>,

<w lemma="a%29pekri%2Fqhsan">ἀπεκρίθησαν</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="dio%2Fti">διότι</w> <w lemma="ou%29d%27">οὐδ᾽</w> <w lemma="a%29%5Cn">ἂν</w> <w lemma="o%28">ὁ</w> <w lemma="%2Alakedaimoni%2Fwn">Λακεδαιμονίων</w> <w lemma="h%29%5C">ἢ</w> <w lemma="%2Akorinqi%2Fwn">Κορινθίων</w> <w lemma="h%29%5C">ἢ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="%2A%29argei%2Fwn">Ἀργείων</w> <w lemma="a%29fi%2Fsthtai">ἀφίστηται</w> <w lemma="dh%3Dmos">δῆμος</w>, <w lemma="ou%29">οὐ</w> <w lemma="deh%2Fsei">δεήσει</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="%2A%29axaiou%5Cs">Ἀχαιοὺς</w> <w lemma="qauma%2Fzein">θαυμάζειν</w> <w lemma="e%29a%5Cn">ἐὰν</w> <w lemma="mh%5C">μὴ</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="au%29tou%5Cs">αὐτοὺς</w> <w lemma="h%28gw%3Dntai">ἡγῶνται</w>.

<w lemma="tau%2Fthn">ταύτην</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="a%29po%2Fkrisin">ἀπόκρισιν</w> <w lemma="e%29kqe%2Fmenoi">ἐκθέμενοι</w>, <w lemma="khru%2Fgmatos">κηρύγματος</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fxousan">ἔχουσαν</w> <w lemma="dia%2Fqesin">διάθεσιν</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="boulome%2Fnois">βουλομένοις</w> <w lemma="e%28%2Fneken">ἕνεκεν</w> <w lemma="%2A%28rwmai%2Fwn">Ῥωμαίων</w> <w lemma="a%29fi%2Fstasqai">ἀφίστασθαι</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="%2A%29axaiw%3Dn">Ἀχαιῶν</w> <w lemma="politei%2Fas">πολιτείας</w>, <w lemma="loipo%5Cn">λοιπὸν</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="presbeuta%5Cs">πρεσβευτὰς</w> <w lemma="parakatei%3Dxon">παρακατεῖχον</w>, <w lemma="karadokou%3Dntes">καραδοκοῦντες</w> <w lemma="ta%5C">τὰ</w> <w lemma="kata%5C">κατὰ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="%2Amessh%2Fnhn">Μεσσήνην</w>, <w lemma="pw%3Ds">πῶς</w> <w lemma="proxwrh%2Fsei">προχωρήσει</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="%2A%29axaioi%3Ds">Ἀχαιοῖς</w>.

<w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="ta%5C">τὰ</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="kata%5C">κατὰ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="%2A%29itali%2Fan">Ἰταλίαν</w> <w lemma="e%29n">ἐν</w> <w lemma="tou%2Ftois">τούτοις</w> <w lemma="h%29%3Dn">ἦν</w>.

<head>IV. Affairs of Italy</head>In the second year of this Olympiad (149) upon the arrival in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a> of embassies from Eumenes, Pharnaces and Philip, from the Achaean League, and from both the exiled Lacedaemonians and those in possession of the city, the senate gave them all audience.

Envoys also came from <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rhodes&groupId=931&placeId=1665">Rhodes</a> on the subject of the calamity that had overtaken <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Sinope&groupId=978&placeId=1730">Sinope</a>.

To these last and the envoys of Eumenes and Pharnaces the Senate replied that they would send legates to inquire about <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Sinope&groupId=978&placeId=1730">Sinope</a> and about the disputes between the two kings.

Quintus Marcius had recently returned from Greece, and upon his presenting his report on the subject of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Macedonia&groupId=723&placeId=428">Macedonia</a> and the Peloponnesus, the Senate no longer required further debate, but summoning the envoys from the Peloponnesus and <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Macedonia&groupId=723&placeId=428">Macedonia</a>, listened, it is true, to their speeches, but drew up their reply not with reference to the arguments of the envoys, but in accordance with the report of Marcius.

He had reported regarding Philip that he had executed the Roman order, but he had done so grudgingly; and that as soon as he had the opportunity he would do all he could against <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a>.

The answer given by the senate to Philip\'s envoys was therefore as follows.They thanked him for what had been done, and in future they warned him to take care not to appear to be acting in any way in opposition to <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a>.

As regards the Peloponnesus Marcius had reported that as the Achaeans did not wish to refer anything to the senate, but had a great opinion of themselves and were attempting to act in all matters on their own initiative,

if the senate paid no attention to their request for the present, and expressed their displeasure in moderate terms, <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Sparta&groupId=660&placeId=1208">Sparta</a> would soon be reconciled with Messene,

upon which the Achaeans would be only too glad to appeal to the Romans.

So they replied to Serippus, the representative of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Sparta&groupId=660&placeId=1208">Sparta</a>, as they wished the city to remain in suspense, that they had done all in their power for the Spartans, but at present they did not think that the matter concerned them.

When the Achaeans begged them, if it were possible, to send a force in virtue of their alliance to help them against the Messenians, or if not to see to it that no one coming from <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Italy&groupId=656&placeId=1199">Italy</a> should import arms or food to Messene, they paid no attention to either request, and answered them that not even if the people of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Sparta&groupId=660&placeId=1208">Sparta</a>, <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Corinth&groupId=493&placeId=928">Corinth</a> or <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Argos&groupId=361&placeId=689">Argos</a> deserted the League should the Achaeans be surprised if the senate did not think it concerned them.

Giving full publicity to this reply, which was a sort of proclamation that the Romans would not interfere with those who wished to desert the Achaean League, they continued to detain the envoys, waiting to see how the Achaeans would get on at Messene.

Such was the situation in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Italy&groupId=656&placeId=1199">Italy</a>.

Walbank Commentary

Overview

23.9.1 - 23.9.15

Greek embassies at <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a>: Q. Marcius Philippus' report (183/2) This excerpt from de legat. gent. belongs to res Italiae of Ol. 149, 2 = 183/2 and corresponds to Livy, xl. 2. 6; see p. 15.

Specifics

23.9.1 - 23.9.1

<emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">παρ</w>f <w lang="el-GR">Εὐμέονυς καὶ Φαρνάκου</w></emph> 〈< <emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">καὶ Φιλίππου</w></emph> 〉 <emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">κτλ</w>.:</emph> cf. Livy, xl. 2. 6, 'legationes . . . primae Eumenis et Pharnacis regum et Rhodiorum querentium de Sinopensium clade. <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Philippi&groupId=1090&placeId=1914">Philippi</a> quoque legati et Achaeorum et Lacedaemoniorum sub idem tempus uenerunt.' Tillmanns added Philip's name from Livy; but that it was introduced like this is uncertain, for Eumenes and Pharnaces were mentioned <milestone unit="page" n="226">[226]</milestone> together in Livy (for they were concerned with the same matter), whereas the text of P. shows signs of drastic compression. Pharnaces I ascended the Pontic throne c. 185; in xxvii. 17 P. calls him <w lang="el-GR">παρανομώτατος</w>. See E. Diehl, RE, 'Pharnakes (1)', cols. 1849–51; he makes him the son of Mithridates III and brother of Mithridates IV Philopator Philadelphus (cf. OGIS, 375; Geyer, RE, 'Mithridates (9) and (10)', col. 2161). <emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">παρὰ τῶν ἐκ τῆς Λακεδαίμονος ἐκπεπτωκότων κτλ</w>.:</emph> cf. 6. 1; those in power are represented by Serippus (§ 11).

23.9.2 - 23.9.2

<emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">Ῥόδιοι πρεσβεύοντες ὑπὲρ τῆς Σινωπέων ἀτυχίας</w>:</emph> in 183 Pharnaces initiated a policy of expansion with a surprise attack on <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Sinope&groupId=978&placeId=1730">Sinope</a> (Strabo, xii. 3. 11, C. 545), previously attacked by Mithridates II (iv. 56), and henceforward the main city of the kingdom of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Pontus&groupId=910&placeId=1634">Pontus</a>. The war lasted four years, but details are obscure. <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rhodes&groupId=931&placeId=1665">Rhodes</a> had had close relations with <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Sinope&groupId=978&placeId=1730">Sinope</a> since 220 (cf. iv. 56. 2 n.); but, as in the case of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Soli&groupId=982&placeId=1734">Soli</a> in 189 (xxi. 24. 10–15; cf. van Gelder, 142), they were unsuccessful on its behalf. On <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Sinope&groupId=978&placeId=1730">Sinope</a> see iv. 56. 5 n.; Rostovtzeff, SEHHW ii. 663–5; Magie, i. 183–6; ii. 1075 n. 20.

23.9.3 - 23.9.3

<emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">πέμψει . . . τοὺς ἐπισκεψομένους</w>:</emph> whether war had already broken out is uncertain (cf. xxiv. 1. 2 n.). The first incident in it was Pharnaces' attack on <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Cappadocia&groupId=435&placeId=343">Cappadocia</a> (aligned with Eumenes since shortly after <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Magnesia&groupId=729&placeId=1336">Magnesia</a>: cf. xxi. 45 n.), and probably on the Galatians, now under Eumenes' control (cf. xxiv. 14. 1 n.; Will, ii. 243). Fg. 112 may refer to the attack on Ariarathes of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Cappadocia&groupId=435&placeId=343">Cappadocia</a>; see note following 18. 5 n. On the war see xxiv. 4. 1–3, 5. 1, 14–15, xxv. 2, xxvii. 7. 5, fgs. 96, 112; Strabo xii. 3. 11, C. 545–6; Diod. xxix. 22–24; IPE, i <emph rend="superscript">2</emph> . 402. At some point Pharnaces entered <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Paphlagonia&groupId=842&placeId=457">Paphlagonia</a> and seized the treasures of a local chieftain, Morzius (xxv. 2. 5, 2. 9); he also secured Galatian support (xxiv. 14. 6). See Magie, i. 191–2; ii. 1089 n. 41. The Senate let the war drag on for four years, probably till 179; perhaps they were not averse to seeing Eumenes checked (cf. Schmitt, Rom und Rhodos, 134; Will, ii. 243). For the return of the legati see xxiv. 1. 2.

23.9.4 - 23.9.4

<emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">Κοΐντου Μαρκίου . . . παραγεγονότος</w>:</emph> cf. 4. 16 n., 8. 1 for his mission of 183. Of his activity in the <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Peloponnese&groupId=861&placeId=1552">Peloponnese</a> no record survives; cf. Livy, xxxix. 48. 6, if he were to start on an account of the Messenian war, 'immemor sim propositi, quo statui non ultra attingere externa nisi qua Romanis cohaererent rebus.' But either he was present at the syncletos at which the Achaeans declared war on Messene, or this took place shortly after his arrival (xxiv. 9. 12 n.). <emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">τῶν ἐν Μακεδονίᾳ</w>:</emph> cf. 8. 1–2 nn.

23.9.5 - 23.9.5

<emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">ἀποκρίσεις</w>:</emph> for the plural cf. xxi. 24. 6 n.

23.9.6 - 23.9.6

<emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">βαρυνόμενος</w>:</emph> cf. 8. 1. <emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">πᾶν τι ποιήσει κατὰ Ῥωμαίων</w>:</emph> for the thesis that Philip was planning war against <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a> cf. 8. 2, xxii. 18. 11 n.; Livy, xl. 3. 1–2 (based <milestone unit="page" n="227">[227]</milestone> on P.), 'ita fecisse eum, quae senatui placuissent, fatebatur, ut facile appareret non diutius quam necesse esset facturum. neque obscurum erat rebellaturum, omniaque quae tunc ageret diceretque, eo spectare.' (Livy then passes straight to the reports at <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a> concerning the res Macedoniae of 182, omitting all mention of the Senate's reply to the Achaeans, probably because he has already anticipated the remaining events of the Achaeo-Messenian conflict by recounting Philopoemen's death in the previous book, Livy, xxxix. 49. 1–50. 11; see below, 12. 1–14. 12 n.).

23.9.8 - 23.9.8

<emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">πάντα δι</w>f <w lang="el-GR">ἑαυτῶν πράττειν ἐπιβαλλομένων</w>:</emph> they had declared war on <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Messenia&groupId=760&placeId=1380">Messenia</a> (xxiv. 9. 12). According to Livy, xxxix. 48. 5, Messene had already revolted when Marcius was sent to Greece; but this account is compressed and a prelude to that of Philopoemen's death (taken from 182: see above § 4 n.). In a speech before the Senate in 181/0 (xxiv. 9. 12–13), Callicrates implies that <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Achaea&groupId=272&placeId=533">Achaea</a> took the initiative in declaring war (cf. Roebuck, 97 n. 137).

23.9.9 - 23.9.9

<emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">ταχέως? ἡ Λακεδαίμων τῇ Μεσσήνῃ συμφρονήσει</w>:</emph> '<a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Sparta&groupId=660&placeId=1208">Sparta</a> would soon come to an understanding with Messene', i.e. against <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Achaea&groupId=272&placeId=533">Achaea</a>. Paton's rendering, 'would soon be reconciled', wrongly implies some recent difference between <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Sparta&groupId=660&placeId=1208">Sparta</a> and <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Messenia&groupId=760&placeId=1380">Messenia</a>.

23.9.10 - 23.9.10

<emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">μετὰ μεγάλης χάριτος ἥξειν</w>:</emph> 'they would be only too glad to come.'

23.9.11 - 23.9.11

<emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">τοῖς περὶ? Σήριππον</w>:</emph> he was pro-Achaean (4. 4 n.). Why he had come we are not told. But since <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Sparta&groupId=660&placeId=1208">Sparta</a> had not yet seceded (§ 13), it must have been to justify the expulsion of the 'old exiles' the previous summer (cf. 5. 18 n., 6. 1); this group had sent representatives to <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a> (§ 1). Further, if he was indeed in an uneasy coalition with Chaeron, who favoured secession (5. 18 n.), he may have wished to reassert the pro-Achaean position (so Errington, 290).

23.9.12 - 23.9.12

<emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">κατὰ τὴν συμμαχίαν</w>:</emph> on the date of this cf. 4. 12 n. <emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">ἵνα μηθεὶς . . . μήθ</w>f <w lang="el-GR">ὅπλα μήτε σῖτον . . . εἰσαγάγῃ</w>:</emph> evidently the treaty enjoined this action in the case of revolt from the federation (cf. Aymard, PR, 268–9; Horn, 32; Lehmann, 233 n. 182). There may be a reference to arms which Deinocrates was arranging to have exported to <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Messenia&groupId=760&placeId=1380">Messenia</a> (cf. Errington, 184, assuming Flamininus' complicity); but blockade-running would probably be organized commercially, and the Senate had a tradition of non-intervention (cf. Badian, 152 n. 6). See further Toynbee, ii. 363.

23.9.14 - 23.9.14

<emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">ἕνεκεν Ῥωμαίων</w>:</emph> 'as far as the Romans were concerned', i.e. they would not interfere. Lehmann, 58 n. 25, claims that this meaning (missed by Mauersberger, s.v. <w lang="el-GR">ἕνεκεν)</w> is a Latinism (cf. Klaffenbach, S-B. Berlin, 1954, 20); but even though it is found in treaties (Syll. 646 = Sherk, 2 l. 19; Syll. 664 = Sherk, 5 l. 33; cf. SVA, iii. 5 ll. 7, 13, 18), perhaps to represent such a phrase as per populum Romanum, it is normal Greek from much earlier; see the <milestone unit="page" n="228">[228]</milestone> examples quoted in LSJ from Aristoph. Acharn. 386; Dem. xx. 14, <w lang="el-GR">ἐμοῦ γ</w>f <w lang="el-GR">ἕνεκα</w>; and Herod. i. 42, <w lang="el-GR">τοῦ φυλάσσοντος εἵνεκεν</w>. P.'s interpretation of the Senate's answer as an incitement to revolt seems fair (contra Errington, 186–7); but the secession may have occurred while Serippus was still away and so have been uninfluenced by what the Senate said (cf. 17. 6 n.). <emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">τοὺς πρεσβευτὰς παρακατεῖχον</w>:</emph> hardly to prevent publication of their answer (so Errington, 187), since, as he points out, it must have become well publicized as a result of the Senate's actions <w lang="el-GR">(ἐκθέμενοι)</w>. The object seems rather to have been to keep up pressure on <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Achaea&groupId=272&placeId=533">Achaea</a> by detaining her envoys and perhaps to leave the way open for the Senate to modify their answer in the light of events (as they did, 17. 3; cf. Briscoe, JRS, 1964, 66–67).

Polybius, Histories

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