<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.
Walbank Commentary