<head>Attempt to seize the Consul</head>Theodotus and Philostratus in the opinion of all were guilty of a wicked and treacherous action.
For learning that Aulus Hostilius the Roman consul was present in Epirus on his way to his army in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Thessaly&groupId=1028&placeId=1816">Thessaly</a>, and thinking that if they delivered him up to Perseus they would be giving the king a signal pledge of their fidelity and would inflict great present injury on the Romans, they wrote repeatedly to Perseus to hasten his arrival.
The king wished to advance at once and join them; but as the Molotti had occupied the bridge over the river Aoüs, his design was checked, and he was forced in the first place to fight with this tribe.
Hostilius, as it happened, had reached <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Phanata&groupId=877&placeId=1581">Phanata</a>, and was staying there with Nestor the Cropian, which gave an excellent opportunity to his enemies; and, had not a mere chance determined for the better, I do not think he could have escaped.
But now, in some mysterious manner, Nestor divined what was brewing, and made him at once leave for Gitana by night.
Renouncing, henceforth, his design of marching through Epirus, he took ship, and sailing to Anticyra started from there for <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Thessaly&groupId=1028&placeId=1816">Thessaly</a>.
Walbank Commentary