<head>Negotiations of Perseus with Genthius</head>Perseus sent Pleuratus the Illyrian, who had taken refuge with him, and Adaeus of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Beroea&groupId=400&placeId=744">Beroea</a>, as envoys to King Genthius,
with instructions to announce to him what had happened in the war he was engaged in against the Romans and Dardanians, and for the present at least with the Epirots and Illyrians; and to solicit him to enter into an alliance with himself and the Macedonians.
The envoys, crossing Mount Scardus, journeyed through the so‑called Desert <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Illyria&groupId=647&placeId=1186">Illyria</a>, which not many years previously had been depopulated by the Macedonians in order to make it difficult for the Dardanians to invade <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Illyria&groupId=647&placeId=1186">Illyria</a> and <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Macedonia&groupId=723&placeId=428">Macedonia</a>.
Traversing this district, and enduring great hardships on the journey, they reached Scodra; and, learning that Genthius was staying in Lissus, sent a message to him.
Genthius at once sent for them, and they conversed with him on the matters covered by their instructions.
Genthius did not seem to be averse to making friendship with Perseus; but he excused himself from complying at once with their request on the ground of his want of resources and the impossibility of undertaking a war against <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a> without money.
Adaeus and his colleague, on receiving this answer, returned.
Perseus, on arriving at Syberra, sold the booty, and rested his army waiting for the return of the envoys.
Upon their arrival, after hearing the answer of Genthius, he once more dispatched Adaeus, accompanied by Glaucias, one of his bodyguard, and again by Pleuratus owing to his knowledge of the Illyrian language, with the same instructions as before, just as if Genthius had not expressly indicated what he was in need of, and what must be done before he would consent to the request.
Upon their departure the king left with his army and marched towards Hyscana.
Walbank Commentary