Polybius, Histories

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Book 27 - Chapter 8

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<w lemma="%2A%28%2Foti">Ὅτι</w> <w lemma="meta%5C">μετὰ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="ni%2Fkhn">νίκην</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="%2Amakedo%2Fnwn">Μακεδόνων</w>, <w lemma="sunedri%2Fou">συνεδρίου</w> <w lemma="para%5C">παρὰ</w> <w lemma="tw%3D%7C">τῷ</w> <w lemma="%2Apersei%3D">Περσεῖ</w> <w lemma="sunaxqe%2Fntos">συναχθέντος</w>, <w lemma="u%28pe%2Fdeica%2Fn">ὑπέδειξάν</w> <w lemma="tines">τινες</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="fi%2Flwn">φίλων</w> <w lemma="dio%2Fti">διότι</w> <w lemma="dei%3D">δεῖ</w> <w lemma="presbei%2Fan">πρεσβείαν</w> <w lemma="pe%2Fmyai">πέμψαι</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="basile%2Fa">βασιλέα</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>,
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<w lemma="e%29pidexo%2Fmenon">ἐπιδεχόμενον</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fti">ἔτι</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="nu%3Dn">νῦν</w> <w lemma="o%28%2Fti">ὅτι</w> <w lemma="fo%2Frous">φόρους</w> <w lemma="dw%2Fsei">δώσει</w> <w lemma="%2A%28rwmai%2Fois">Ῥωμαίοις</w>, <w lemma="o%28%2Fsous">ὅσους</w> <w lemma="pro%2Fteron">πρότερον</w> <w lemma="u%28pe%2Fsxeto">ὑπέσχετο</w> [<w lemma="o%28">ὁ</w>] <w lemma="path%5Cr">πατὴρ</w> <w lemma="katapolemhqei%2Fs">καταπολεμηθείς</w>, <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="to%2Fpwn">τόπων</w> <w lemma="e%29kxwrh%2Fsei">ἐκχωρήσει</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="au%29tw%3Dn">αὐτῶν</w>.
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<w lemma="e%29a%2Fn">ἐάν</w> <w lemma="te">τε</w> <w lemma="ga%5Cr">γὰρ</w> <w lemma="de%2Fcwntai">δέξωνται</w> <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="dialu%2Fseis">διαλύσεις</w>, <w lemma="kalh%5Cn">καλὴν</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Ffasan">ἔφασαν</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fsesqai">ἔσεσθαι</w> <w lemma="tw%3D%7C">τῷ</w> <w lemma="basilei%3D">βασιλεῖ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="e%29cagwgh%5Cn">ἐξαγωγὴν</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="pole%2Fmou">πολέμου</w>, <w lemma="peproterhko%2Fti">πεπροτερηκότι</w> <w lemma="dia%5C">διὰ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="u%28pai%2Fqrwn">ὑπαίθρων</w>, <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="kaqo%2Flou">καθόλου</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="me%2Fllon">μέλλον</w> <w lemma="eu%29labeste%2Frous">εὐλαβεστέρους</w> <w lemma="u%28pa%2Frcein">ὑπάρξειν</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="%2A%28rwmai%2Fous">Ῥωμαίους</w>, <w lemma="pei%3Dran">πεῖραν</w> <w lemma="ei%29lhfo%2Ftas">εἰληφότας</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="%2Amakedo%2Fnwn">Μακεδόνων</w> <w lemma="a%29ndrei%2Fas">ἀνδρείας</w> <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="mhde%5Cn">μηδὲν</w> <w lemma="a%29%2Fdikon">ἄδικον</w> <w lemma="mhde%5C">μηδὲ</w> <w lemma="baru%5C">βαρὺ</w> <w lemma="prosta%2Fttein">προστάττειν</w> <w lemma="%2Amakedo%2Fsin">Μακεδόσιν</w>.
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<w lemma="e%29a%2Fn">ἐάν</w> <w lemma="te">τε</w> <w lemma="mh%5C">μὴ</w> <w lemma="de%2Fcwntai">δέξωνται</w> <w lemma="qumomaxou%3Dntes">θυμομαχοῦντες</w> <w lemma="e%29pi%5C">ἐπὶ</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="gegono%2Fsin">γεγονόσιν</w>, <w lemma="e%29kei%2Fnois">ἐκείνοις</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="dikai%2Fws">δικαίως</w> <w lemma="nemesh%2Fsein">νεμεσήσειν</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="daimo%2Fnion">δαιμόνιον</w>, <w lemma="au%29tw%3D%7C">αὐτῷ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="dia%5C">διὰ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="metrio%2Fthta">μετριότητα</w> <w lemma="sunagwnista%5Cs">συναγωνιστὰς</w> <w lemma="u%28pa%2Frcein">ὑπάρξειν</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="qeou%5Cs">θεοὺς</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="a%29nqrw%2Fpous">ἀνθρώπους</w>.
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<w lemma="tau%3Dta">ταῦτα</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="ou%29%3Dn">οὖν</w> <w lemma="e%29do%2Fkei">ἐδόκει</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="plei%2Fosi">πλείοσι</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="fi%2Flwn">φίλων</w>. <w lemma="sugkataqeme%2Fnou">συγκαταθεμένου</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="%2Aperse%2Fws">Περσέως</w> <w lemma="e%29pe%2Fmponto">ἐπέμποντο</w> <w lemma="paraxrh%3Dma">παραχρῆμα</w> <w lemma="presbeutai%5C">πρεσβευταὶ</w> <w lemma="%2Apa%2Fntauxos">Πάνταυχος</w> <w lemma="%2Abala%2Fkrou">Βαλάκρου</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="%2Ami%2Fdwn">Μίδων</w> <w lemma="%2Aberoieu%2Fs">Βεροιεύς</w>.
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<w lemma="w%28%3Dn">ὧν</w> <w lemma="paragenome%2Fnwn">παραγενομένων</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="%2Aliki%2Fnnion">Λικίννιον</w> <w lemma="eu%29qe%2Fws">εὐθέως</w> <w lemma="o%28">ὁ</w> <w lemma="strathgo%5Cs">στρατηγὸς</w> <w lemma="sunh%3Dge">συνῆγε</w> <w lemma="sune%2Fdrion">συνέδριον</w>. <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="pre%2Fsbewn">πρέσβεων</w> <w lemma="diasafhsa%2Fntwn">διασαφησάντων</w> <w lemma="ta%5C">τὰ</w> <w lemma="kata%5C">κατὰ</w> <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="e%29ntola%2Fs">ἐντολάς</w>, <w lemma="metasthsa%2Fmenoi">μεταστησάμενοι</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="%2Apa%2Fntauxon">Πάνταυχον</w> <w lemma="e%29bouleu%2Fonto">ἐβουλεύοντο</w> <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="prospeptwko%2Ftwn">προσπεπτωκότων</w>.
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<w lemma="e%29%2Fdocen">ἔδοξεν</w> <w lemma="ou%29%3Dn">οὖν</w> <w lemma="au%29toi%3Ds">αὐτοῖς</w> <w lemma="o%28moqumado%5Cn">ὁμοθυμαδὸν</w> <w lemma="w%28s">ὡς</w> <w lemma="baruta%2Fthn">βαρυτάτην</w> <w lemma="dou%3Dnai">δοῦναι</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="a%29po%2Fkrisin">ἀπόκρισιν</w>.
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<w lemma="i%29%2Fdion">ἴδιον</w> <w lemma="ga%5Cr">γὰρ</w> <w lemma="tou%3Dto">τοῦτο</w> <w lemma="pa%2Fnth%7C">πάντῃ</w> <w lemma="para%5C">παρὰ</w> <w lemma="%2A%28rwmai%2Fois">Ῥωμαίοις</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fqos">ἔθος</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="pa%2Ftrio%2Fn">πάτριόν</w> <w lemma="e%29sti">ἐστι</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="kata%5C">κατὰ</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="e%29lattw%2Fseis">ἐλαττώσεις</w> <w lemma="au%29qadesta%2Ftous">αὐθαδεστάτους</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="baruta%2Ftous">βαρυτάτους</w> <w lemma="fai%2Fnesqai">φαίνεσθαι</w>, <w lemma="kata%5C">κατὰ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="e%29pituxi%2Fas">ἐπιτυχίας</w> <w lemma="w%28s">ὡς</w> <w lemma="metriwta%2Ftous">μετριωτάτους</w>.
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<w lemma="tou%3Dto">τοῦτο</w> <w lemma="d%27">δ᾽</w> <w lemma="o%28%2Fti">ὅτι</w> <w lemma="kalo%5Cn">καλὸν</w> <w lemma="pa%3Ds">πᾶς</w> <w lemma="a%29%2Fn">ἄν</w> <w lemma="tis">τις</w> <w lemma="o%28mologh%2Fseien:">ὁμολογήσειεν·</w> <w lemma="ei%29">εἰ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="dunato%5Cn">δυνατὸν</w> <w lemma="e%29n">ἐν</w> <w lemma="e%29ni%2Fois">ἐνίοις</w> <w lemma="kairoi%3Ds">καιροῖς</w>, <w lemma="ei%29ko%2Ftws">εἰκότως</w> <w lemma="a%29%2Fn">ἄν</w> <w lemma="tis">τις</w> <w lemma="e%29paporh%2Fseien">ἐπαπορήσειεν</w>.
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<w lemma="plh%5Cn">πλὴν</w> <w lemma="to%2Fte">τότε</w> <w lemma="ge">γε</w> <w lemma="toiau%2Fthn">τοιαύτην</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fdwkan">ἔδωκαν</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="a%29po%2Fkrisin:">ἀπόκρισιν·</w> <w lemma="e%29ke%2Fleuon">ἐκέλευον</w> <w lemma="ga%5Cr">γὰρ</w> <w lemma="e%29pitre%2Fpein">ἐπιτρέπειν</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="%2Aperse%2Fa">Περσέα</w> <w lemma="ta%5C">τὰ</w> <w lemma="kaq%27">καθ᾽</w> <w lemma="au%28to%2Fn">αὑτόν</w>, <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="kaqo%2Flou">καθόλου</w> <w lemma="dido%2Fnai">διδόναι</w> <w lemma="th%3D%7C">τῇ</w> <w lemma="sugklh%2Ftw%7C">συγκλήτῳ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="e%29cousi%2Fan">ἐξουσίαν</w>, <w lemma="w%28s">ὡς</w> <w lemma="a%29%5Cn">ἂν</w> <w lemma="au%29th%3D%7C">αὐτῇ</w> <w lemma="dokh%3D%7C">δοκῇ</w>, <w lemma="bouleu%2Fesqai">βουλεύεσθαι</w> <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="kata%5C">κατὰ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="%2Amakedoni%2Fan">Μακεδονίαν</w>.
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<w lemma="oi%28">οἱ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="%2Apa%2Fntauxon">Πάνταυχον</w> <w lemma="tau%3Dt%27">ταῦτ᾽</w> <w lemma="a%29kou%2Fsantes">ἀκούσαντες</w> <w lemma="e%29panh%3Dlqon">ἐπανῆλθον</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="diesa%2Ffoun">διεσάφουν</w> <w lemma="tw%3D%7C">τῷ</w> <w lemma="%2Apersei%3D">Περσεῖ</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="fi%2Flois">φίλοις</w>.
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<w lemma="w%28%3Dn">ὧν</w> <w lemma="tines">τινες</w> <w lemma="e%29kplhtto%2Fmenoi">ἐκπληττόμενοι</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="u%28perhfani%2Fan">ὑπερηφανίαν</w> <w lemma="parwcu%2Fnonto">παρωξύνοντο</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="sunebou%2Fleuon">συνεβούλευον</w> <w lemma="tw%3D%7C">τῷ</w> <w lemma="%2Apersei%3D">Περσεῖ</w> <w lemma="mh%2Fte">μήτε</w> <w lemma="diapresbeu%2Fesqai">διαπρεσβεύεσθαι</w> <w lemma="mhke%2Fti">μηκέτι</w> <w lemma="mh%2Fte">μήτε</w> <w lemma="diape%2Fmpesqai">διαπέμπεσθαι</w> <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="mhdeno%2Fs">μηδενός</w>.
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<w lemma="ou%29">οὐ</w> <w lemma="mh%5Cn">μὴν</w> <w lemma="o%28">ὁ</w> <w lemma="%2Aperseu%5Cs">Περσεὺς</w> <w lemma="toiou%3Dtos">τοιοῦτος</w> <w lemma="h%29%3Dn">ἦν</w>, <w lemma="a%29lla%5C">ἀλλὰ</w> <w lemma="prostiqei%5Cs">προστιθεὶς</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="plh%3Dqos">πλῆθος</w> <w lemma="au%29%2Fcwn">αὔξων</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="xrhma%2Ftwn">χρημάτων</w> <w lemma="diepe%2Fmpeto">διεπέμπετο</w> <w lemma="pleona%2Fkis">πλεονάκις</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="%2Aliki%2Fnnion">Λικίννιον</w>. <w lemma="proko%2Fptwn">προκόπτων</w> <w lemma="d%27">δ᾽</w> <w lemma="ou%29de%2Fn">οὐδέν</w>,
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<w lemma="a%29lla%5C">ἀλλὰ</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="plei%2Fstwn">πλείστων</w> <w lemma="fi%2Flwn">φίλων</w> <w lemma="e%29pitimw%2Fntwn">ἐπιτιμώντων</w> <w lemma="au%29tw%3D%7C">αὐτῷ</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="fasko%2Fntwn">φασκόντων</w> <w lemma="o%28%2Fti">ὅτι</w> <w lemma="nikw%3Dn">νικῶν</w> <w lemma="poiei%3D">ποιεῖ</w> <w lemma="ta%5C">τὰ</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="leipome%2Fnou">λειπομένου</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="o%28%2Flois">ὅλοις</w> <w lemma="e%29ptaiko%2Ftos">ἐπταικότος</w>,
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<w lemma="ou%28%2Ftws">οὕτως</w> <w lemma="h%29nagka%2Fsqh">ἠναγκάσθη</w> <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="diapresbei%2Fas">διαπρεσβείας</w> <w lemma="a%29pognou%5Cs">ἀπογνοὺς</w> <w lemma="metastratopedeu%3Dsai">μεταστρατοπεδεῦσαι</w> <w lemma="pa%2Flin">πάλιν</w> <w lemma="e%29pi%5C">ἐπὶ</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="%2Asuku%2Frion">Συκύριον</w>. <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="tau%3Dta">ταῦτα</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="e%29pi%5C">ἐπὶ</w> <w lemma="tou%2Ftwn">τούτων</w> <w lemma="h%29%3Dn">ἦν</w>. —
<head>Attitude of Rhodes</head>After the victory of the Macedonians Perseus held a conference in which some of his friends suggested to him that he should send an embassy to the Roman general,
consenting still to pay the same tribute to <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a> that his father on his defeat engaged to pay, and to evacuate the same places.
For, they said, if they accepted these terms, the result of the war would be in favour of the king after his success in the field; and the Romans after their experience of the bravery of the Macedonians, would be more cautious about making unjust and severe demands upon <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Macedonia&groupId=723&placeId=428">Macedonia</a>.
But if they did not accept, out of vexation for what had happened, they would increase the just wrath of Heaven; while the king by his moderation would earn the support of gods and men alike.
Such was the opinion of most of his friends; and, on Perseus agreeing, Pantauchus the son of Balacrus and Midon of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Beroea&groupId=400&placeId=744">Beroea</a> were at once dispatched as envoys.
Upon their arrival at the camp of Licinius, he at once called a council. When the envoys had explained themselves according to their instructions, the Romans requested Pantauchus and his colleague to withdraw, and consulted about the message.
It was unanimously decided to give as severe a reply as possible, it being in all cases the traditional Roman custom to show themselves most imperious and severe in the season of defeat, and most lenient after success.
That this is noble conduct every one will confess, but perhaps it is open to doubt if it is possible under certain circumstances.
In the present case, then, their answer was as follows. They ordered Perseus to submit absolutely, giving the senate authority to decide as they saw fit about the affairs of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Macedonia&groupId=723&placeId=428">Macedonia</a>.
The envoys, on receiving this answer, returned and reported it to Perseus and his friends, some of whom, astonished at the pride of the Romans, chafed at it, and advised the king to send no further embassies or any other communications about anything whatever.
Perseus, however, was by no means so disposed, but sent several times to Licinius, always offering a larger sum. But as he made no progress,
and most of his friends found fault with him and told him, that now he was victorious, he was acting as if he were unsuccessful and indeed utterly defeated,
he was obliged to give up these embassies, and to transfer his camp again to Sycyrium. Such was the situation there.