<head>Policy of the Achaeans</head>The Greeks (sic) thought that this embassy was worthy of attention.
Associating therefore with themselves those who were in general sympathy with their policy, these being Arcesilaus and <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Ariston&groupId=365&placeId=695">Ariston</a> of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Megalopolis&groupId=745&placeId=1360">Megalopolis</a>, Stratius of Tritaea, Xenon of Patrae, and Apollonidas of Sicyon, they discussed the situation. Lycortas held to his original opinion, judging that they should neither give any active aid either to Perseus or to the Romans nor offer any opposition to either side. To render help to the Romans he considered disadvantageous to all the Greeks, as he foresaw how very strong the victors in the war would be, while he thought it dangerous to act against <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a>, since at a previous period they had braved many of the most distinguished Romans about affairs of state.
Apollonidas and Stratius did not think they should take any special action against <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a>, but he said that those Achaeans who were ready to make the plunge, trying to ingratiate themselves personally with the Romans by their public action, in defiance of law and contrary to the public interest, should be prevented and boldly confronted.
Archon advised them to act as circumstances enjoined, and neither give their enemies any pretext for accusing them nor allow themselves to be reduced to the same state as Nicander, who, even before he experienced the weight of the Roman power, found himself in the utmost distress.
Polybius, Arcesilaus, <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Ariston&groupId=365&placeId=695">Ariston</a>, and Xenon shared this opinion.
It was therefore decided that Archon should at once proceed to take up his duties as strategus and Polybius as hipparch.
Walbank Commentary