<head>Escape of Demetrius from Rome</head>At this time when the news arrived of the calamity that had happened to Gnaeus Octavius,
how he had been assassinated, and when the envoys sent by Lysias on behalf of King Antiochus appeared and were profuse in their assurances that the friends of the king had had no part in the deed,
the senate paid scant attention to the embassy, not wishing to pronounce any decision on the matter or to express in any manner their opinion.
But Demetrius, excited by the news, at once sent for Polybius and submitted to him his doubt as to whether or not he should address the senate again on the question of his own situation.
Polybius begged him not to stumble twice on the same stone, but to trust in himself and take some bold course worthy of a throne; for, he said, there were many opportunities for action suggested by the present situation.
Demetrius understood this advice and held his peace for the present, but shortly afterwards communicated with one of his intimate friends, about the same matter.
This man, being of an unsuspecting character and quite young, advised him to try the senate once more, for he felt sure, that as they had unjustly deprived him of his kingdom, they would at least release him from his position as hostage,
since it was quite unreasonable that now, when the young Antiochus had succeeded to the throne of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Syria&groupId=995&placeId=502">Syria</a>, Demetrius should serve as hostage for him.
Persuaded by this reasoning Demetrius again appeared before the senate and begged the house to release him at least from his obligation as hostage, as they had decided to secure the throne to Antiochus.
After he had spoken at some length in this sense, the senate adhered to its original resolve, as was only to be expected.
For on the former occasion it was not because Demetrius was not right in what he said that they had decided to keep the young king on the throne, but because it suited their own interest.
And as the conditions remained the same, it was to be expected that the decision of the senate should be based on the same policy.
Walbank Commentary