<head>II. The War with Perseus</head><head>Action of the Romans in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Achaea&groupId=272&placeId=533">Achaea</a>, Aetolia, and Acarnania</head>Aulus Hostilius Mancinus the proconsul, who was at the time wintering in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Thessaly&groupId=1028&placeId=1816">Thessaly</a>, sent as legates to Greece Gaius Popilius and Gnaeus Octavius.
They first came to Thebes, where they thanked the Thebans and urged them to maintain their loyalty to <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a>.
After this, visiting the Peloponnesian cities, they attempted to convince the inhabitants of the leniency and kindness of the senate, quoting the recent decrees;
and they also indicated in their speeches that they knew who were those in each city who withdrew from taking part in public affairs, as well as who were the active and zealous men.
It was evident to all that they were just as much displeased with the former
as with their open opponents; and in consequence they created a general state of anxiety and doubt as to how one ought to act or to speak so as to make oneself agreeable under present circumstances.
It was said that, upon the Achaean Assembly meeting, Popilius and his colleague had decided to accuse Lycortas, Archon, and Polybius before it and prove that they were the opponents of the Roman party and were keeping quiet at present, not because they were naturally disposed to do so, but because they were watching the progress of events and waiting for a favourable opportunity to act.
They did not, however, venture to do so, as they had no plausible pretext for attacking the above statesmen.so that when the Achaean senate met at Aegium they addressed a few words of cordial greeting to them and took ship for Aetolia.
Walbank Commentary