Polybius, Histories

Translation

Book 31 - Chapter 2

<w lemma="%2A%28%2Foti">Ὅτι</w> <w lemma="%2Adhmh%2Ftrios">Δημήτριος</w> <w lemma="o%28">ὁ</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="%2Aseleu%2Fkou">Σελεύκου</w> <w lemma="polu%5Cn">πολὺν</w> <w lemma="h%29%2Fdh">ἤδη</w> <w lemma="xro%2Fnon">χρόνον</w> <w lemma="katexo%2Fmenos">κατεχόμενος</w> <w lemma="e%29n">ἐν</w> <w lemma="th%3D%7C">τῇ</w> <w lemma="%2A%28rw%2Fmh%7C">Ῥώμῃ</w> <w lemma="kata%5C">κατὰ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="o%28mhrei%2Fan">ὁμηρείαν</w> <w lemma="pa%2Flai">πάλαι</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="e%29do%2Fkei">ἐδόκει</w> <w lemma="para%5C">παρὰ</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="di%2Fkaion">δίκαιον</w> <w lemma="kate%2Fxesqai:">κατέχεσθαι·</w>

<w lemma="doqh%3Dnai">δοθῆναι</w> <w lemma="ga%5Cr">γὰρ</w> <w lemma="u%28po%5C">ὑπὸ</w> <w lemma="%2Aseleu%2Fkou">Σελεύκου</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="patro%5Cs">πατρὸς</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="e%29kei%2Fnou">ἐκείνου</w> <w lemma="pi%2Fstews">πίστεως</w> <w lemma="e%28%2Fneken">ἕνεκεν</w>, <w lemma="%2A%29antio%2Fxou">Ἀντιόχου</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="meteilhfo%2Ftos">μετειληφότος</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="basilei%2Fan">βασιλείαν</w> <w lemma="ou%29k">οὐκ</w> <w lemma="o%29fei%2Flein">ὀφείλειν</w> <w lemma="u%28pe%5Cr">ὑπὲρ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="e%29kei%2Fnou">ἐκείνου</w> <w lemma="te%2Fknwn">τέκνων</w> <w lemma="o%28mhreu%2Fein">ὁμηρεύειν</w>.

<w lemma="ou%29">οὐ</w> <w lemma="mh%5Cn">μὴν</w> <w lemma="a%29lla%5C">ἀλλὰ</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="pro%5C">πρὸ</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="xro%2Fnon">χρόνον</w> <w lemma="h%29%3Dge">ἦγε</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="h%28suxi%2Fan">ἡσυχίαν</w>, <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="ma%2Flista">μάλιστα</w> <w lemma="dia%5C">διὰ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="a%29dunami%2Fan:">ἀδυναμίαν·</w> <w lemma="h%29%3Dn">ἦν</w> <w lemma="ga%5Cr">γὰρ</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fti">ἔτι</w> <w lemma="pai%3Ds:">παῖς·</w>

<w lemma="to%2Fte">τότε</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="a%29kmaiota%2Fthn">ἀκμαιοτάτην</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fxwn">ἔχων</w> <w lemma="h%28liki%2Fan">ἡλικίαν</w> <w lemma="e%29poih%2Fsato">ἐποιήσατο</w> <w lemma="lo%2Fgous">λόγους</w>, <w lemma="ei%29selqw%5Cn">εἰσελθὼν</w> <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="su%2Fgklhton">σύγκλητον</w>, <w lemma="a%29ciw%3Dn">ἀξιῶν</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="parakalw%3Dn">παρακαλῶν</w> <w lemma="kata%2Fgein">κατάγειν</w> <w lemma="au%28to%5Cn">αὑτὸν</w> <w lemma="e%29pi%5C">ἐπὶ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="basilei%2Fan:">βασιλείαν·</w> <w lemma="kaqh%2Fkein">καθήκειν</w> <w lemma="ga%5Cr">γὰρ</w> <w lemma="au%28tw%3D%7C">αὑτῷ</w> <w lemma="ma%3Dllon">μᾶλλον</w> <w lemma="h%29%5C">ἢ</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="%2A%29antio%2Fxou">Ἀντιόχου</w> <w lemma="te%2Fknois">τέκνοις</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="a%29rxh%2Fn">ἀρχήν</w>.

<w lemma="diaqeme%2Fnou">διαθεμένου</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="plei%2Fonas">πλείονας</w> <w lemma="lo%2Fgous">λόγους</w> <w lemma="au%29tou%3D">αὐτοῦ</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="proeirhme%2Fnhn">προειρημένην</w> <w lemma="u%28po%2Fqesin">ὑπόθεσιν</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="ma%2Flista">μάλιστα</w> <w lemma="prosdramo%2Fntos">προσδραμόντος</w> <w lemma="e%29n">ἐν</w> <w lemma="tw%3D%7C">τῷ</w> <w lemma="le%2Fgein">λέγειν</w>, <w lemma="dio%2Fti">διότι</w> <w lemma="sumbai%2Fnei">συμβαίνει</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="patri%2Fda">πατρίδα</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="trofo%5Cn">τροφὸν</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="%2A%28rw%2Fmhn">Ῥώμην</w> <w lemma="u%28pa%2Frxein">ὑπάρχειν</w> <w lemma="au%29tw%3D%7C">αὐτῷ</w>, <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="ui%28ou%5Cs">υἱοὺς</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="e%29k">ἐκ</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="sunedri%2Fou">συνεδρίου</w> <w lemma="su%2Fmpantas">σύμπαντας</w> <w lemma="a%29delfw%3Dn">ἀδελφῶν</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fxein">ἔχειν</w> <w lemma="dia%2Fqesin">διάθεσιν</w>, <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="bouleuta%5Cs">βουλευτὰς</w> <w lemma="pate%2Frwn">πατέρων</w> <w lemma="dia%5C">διὰ</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="paragene%2Fsqai">παραγενέσθαι</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fti">ἔτι</w> <w lemma="nh%2Fpios">νήπιος</w>, <w lemma="to%2Fte">τότε</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="kata%5C">κατὰ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="h%28liki%2Fan">ἡλικίαν</w> <w lemma="u%28pa%2Frxein">ὑπάρχειν</w> <w lemma="e%29tw%3Dn">ἐτῶν</w> <w lemma="ei%29%2Fkosi">εἴκοσι</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="triw%3Dn">τριῶν</w>,

<w lemma="e%29netre%2Fponto">ἐνετρέποντο</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="a%28%2Fpantes">ἅπαντες</w> <w lemma="a%29kou%2Fontes">ἀκούοντες</w> <w lemma="e%29n">ἐν</w> <w lemma="e%28autoi%3Ds">ἑαυτοῖς</w>, <w lemma="koinh%3D%7C">κοινῇ</w> <w lemma="ge">γε</w> <w lemma="mh%5Cn">μὴν</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fdoce">ἔδοξε</w> <w lemma="th%3D%7C">τῇ</w> <w lemma="sugklh%2Ftw%7C">συγκλήτῳ</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="%2Adhmh%2Ftrion">Δημήτριον</w> <w lemma="katasxei%3Dn">κατασχεῖν</w>, <w lemma="tw%3D%7C">τῷ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="kataleleimme%2Fnw%7C">καταλελειμμένῳ</w> <w lemma="paidi%5C">παιδὶ</w> <w lemma="sugkataskeua%2Fzein">συγκατασκευάζειν</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="a%29rxh%2Fn">ἀρχήν</w>. <w lemma="tou%3Dto">τοῦτο</w> <w lemma="d%27">δ᾽</w> <w lemma="e%29poi%2Fhsen">ἐποίησεν</w>,

<w lemma="w%28s">ὡς</w> <w lemma="e%29moi%5C">ἐμοὶ</w> <w lemma="dokei%3Dn">δοκεῖν</w>, <w lemma="u%28pidome%2Fnh">ὑπιδομένη</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="a%29kmh%5Cn">ἀκμὴν</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="%2Adhmhtri%2Fou">Δημητρίου</w>, <w lemma="ma%3Dllon">μᾶλλον</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="kri%2Fnasa">κρίνασα</w> <w lemma="sumfe%2Frein">συμφέρειν</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="sfete%2Frois">σφετέροις</w> <w lemma="pra%2Fgmasi">πράγμασι</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="neo%2Fthta">νεότητα</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="a%29dunami%2Fan">ἀδυναμίαν</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="paido%5Cs">παιδὸς</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="diadedegme%2Fnou">διαδεδεγμένου</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="basilei%2Fan">βασιλείαν</w>.

<w lemma="e%29ge%2Fneto">ἐγένετο</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="tou%3Dto">τοῦτο</w> <w lemma="dh%3Dlon">δῆλον</w> <w lemma="e%29k">ἐκ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="meta%5C">μετὰ</w> <w lemma="tau%3Dta">ταῦτα</w> <w lemma="sumba%2Fntwn">συμβάντων</w>.

<w lemma="eu%29qe%2Fws">εὐθέως</w> <w lemma="ga%5Cr">γὰρ</w> <w lemma="katasth%2Fsantes">καταστήσαντες</w> <w lemma="presbeuta%5Cs">πρεσβευτὰς</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="%2Agna%2Fion">Γνάιον</w> <w lemma="%2A%29okta%2Fouion">Ὀκτάουιον</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="%2Aspo%2Frion">Σπόριον</w> <w lemma="%2Alokrh%2Ftion">Λοκρήτιον</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="%2Aleu%2Fkion">Λεύκιον</w> <w lemma="%2Aau%29rh%2Flion">Αὐρήλιον</w> <w lemma="e%29ce%2Fpemyan">ἐξέπεμψαν</w>, <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="dioikh%2Fsontas">διοικήσοντας</w> <w lemma="ta%5C">τὰ</w> <w lemma="kata%5C">κατὰ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="basilei%2Fan">βασιλείαν</w>,

<w lemma="w%28s">ὡς</w> <w lemma="au%29th%5C">αὐτὴ</w> <w lemma="proh%7Crei%3Dto">προῃρεῖτο</w> <w lemma="dia%5C">διὰ</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="mhde%2Fna">μηδένα</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="e%29mpodw%5Cn">ἐμποδὼν</w> <w lemma="sthso%2Fmenon">στησόμενον</w> <w lemma="ei%29%3Dnai">εἶναι</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="e%29pitattome%2Fnois">ἐπιταττομένοις</w>, <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="basile%2Fws">βασιλέως</w> <w lemma="paido%5Cs">παιδὸς</w> <w lemma="o%29%2Fntos">ὄντος</w>, <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="proestw%2Ftwn">προεστώτων</w> <w lemma="a%29smenizo%2Fntwn">ἀσμενιζόντων</w> <w lemma="e%29pi%5C">ἐπὶ</w> <w lemma="tw%3D%7C">τῷ</w> <w lemma="mh%5C">μὴ</w> <w lemma="paradedo%2Fsqai">παραδεδόσθαι</w> <w lemma="ta%5C">τὰ</w> <w lemma="pra%2Fgmata">πράγματα</w> <w lemma="tw%3D%7C">τῷ</w> <w lemma="%2Adhmhtri%2Fw%7C:">Δημητρίῳ·</w> <w lemma="ma%2Flista">μάλιστα</w> <w lemma="ga%5Cr">γὰρ</w> <w lemma="tou%3Dto">τοῦτο</w> <w lemma="prosedo%2Fkwn">προσεδόκων</w>.

<w lemma="oi%28">οἱ</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="ou%29%3Dn">οὖν</w> <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="%2Agna%2Fion">Γνάιον</w> <w lemma="e%29cw%2Frmhsan">ἐξώρμησαν</w>, <w lemma="e%29%2Fxontes">ἔχοντες</w> <w lemma="e%29ntola%5Cs">ἐντολὰς</w> <w lemma="prw%3Dton">πρῶτον</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="nau%3Ds">ναῦς</w> <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="katafra%2Fktous">καταφράκτους</w> <w lemma="diaprh%3Dsai">διαπρῆσαι</w>, <w lemma="meta%5C">μετὰ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="tau%3Dta">ταῦτα</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="e%29le%2Ffantas">ἐλέφαντας</w> <w lemma="neurokoph%3Dsai">νευροκοπῆσαι</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="kaqo%2Flou">καθόλου</w> <w lemma="lumh%2Fnasqai">λυμήνασθαι</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="basi%2Fleion">βασίλειον</w> <w lemma="du%2Fnamin">δύναμιν</w>.

<w lemma="prosenetei%2Flanto">προσενετείλαντο</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="tou%2Ftois">τούτοις</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="ta%5C">τὰ</w> <w lemma="kata%5C">κατὰ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="%2Amakedoni%2Fan">Μακεδονίαν</w> <w lemma="e%29piske%2Fyasqai:">ἐπισκέψασθαι·</w> <w lemma="sune%2Fbaine">συνέβαινε</w> <w lemma="ga%5Cr">γὰρ</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="%2Amakedo%2Fnas">Μακεδόνας</w> <w lemma="a%29h%2Fqeis">ἀήθεις</w> <w lemma="o%29%2Fntas">ὄντας</w> <w lemma="dhmokratikh%3Ds">δημοκρατικῆς</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="sunedriakh%3Ds">συνεδριακῆς</w> <w lemma="politei%2Fas">πολιτείας</w> <w lemma="stasia%2Fzein">στασιάζειν</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="au%28tou%2Fs">αὑτούς</w>.

<w lemma="e%29%2Fdei">ἔδει</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="%2Agna%2Fion">Γνάιον</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="ta%5C">τὰ</w> <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="%2Agala%2Ftas">Γαλάτας</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="ta%5C">τὰ</w> <w lemma="kata%5C">κατὰ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="%2A%29ariara%2Fqou">Ἀριαράθου</w> <w lemma="basilei%2Fan">βασιλείαν</w> <w lemma="e%29popteu%3Dsai">ἐποπτεῦσαι</w>.

<w lemma="meta%5C">μετὰ</w> <w lemma="de%2F">δέ</w> <w lemma="tina">τινα</w> <w lemma="xro%2Fnon">χρόνον</w> <w lemma="au%29toi%3Ds">αὐτοῖς</w> <w lemma="e%29papesta%2Flh">ἐπαπεστάλη</w> <w lemma="gra%2Fmmata">γράμματα</w> <w lemma="para%5C">παρὰ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="sugklh%2Ftou">συγκλήτου</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="e%29n">ἐν</w> <w lemma="%2A%29alecandrei%2Fa%7C">Ἀλεξανδρείᾳ</w> <w lemma="basilei%3Ds">βασιλεῖς</w> <w lemma="dialu%3Dsai">διαλῦσαι</w> <w lemma="kata%5C">κατὰ</w> <w lemma="du%2Fnamin">δύναμιν</w>. —

<head>Embassy from Eumenes</head><head>Measures taken regarding <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Syria&groupId=995&placeId=502">Syria</a>, <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Macedonia&groupId=723&placeId=428">Macedonia</a>, and Egypt</head>Demetrius, the son of Seleucus, had now been held in hostage at <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a> for many years, and it had long been thought that his detention was unjust, since he had been given by his father Seleucus as a hostage for his own good faith, and now that Antiochus had succeeded to the crown he should not be required to serve as hostage for the children of Seleucus.

He had, however, taken no steps previously, chiefly owing to want of capacity, as he was still a boy.

But now, having fully come to years of discretion, he appeared before the senate and addressing that house begged and entreated to be sent home to assume the crown, to which he said he had a better claim than the children of Antiochus.

When he had spoken at considerable length in this sense and especially appealed to his hearers by saying that <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a> was his fatherland and his nurse, that the sons of the senators were all like brothers to him and the senators themselves like fathers, since he had come to <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a> when quite an infant and was now twenty-three years of age,

they were all personally affected, but their public decision was to keep Demetrius in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a> and help to establish on the throne the surviving child of Antiochus IV.

The senate acted thus, in my opinion, because they were suspicious of a king in the prime of life like Demetrius and thought that the youth and incapacity of the boy who had succeeded to the throne would serve their purpose better.

This was made evident by what happened afterwards.

For they at once named as legates Gnaeus Octavius, Spurius Lucretius, and Lucius Aurelius and dispatched them to <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Syria&groupId=995&placeId=502">Syria</a> to manage the affairs of that kingdom as the senate determined,

there being no one likely to oppose their orders, since the king was a child and the principal people were only too glad that the government had not been put in the hands of Demetrius, as they had been almost certain it would be.

Octavius and his colleagues thereupon left, with orders in the first place to burn the decked warships, next to hamstring the elephants, and by every means to cripple the royal power.

They were also ordered to look into the affairs of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Macedonia&groupId=723&placeId=428">Macedonia</a>; for the Macedonians, being unaccustomed to democratic and parliamentary government, were quarrelling among themselves.

The legates also had to report on the condition of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Galatia&groupId=596&placeId=385">Galatia</a> and the kingdom of Ariarathes,

and shortly afterwards they received a dispatch from the senate ordering them to do all in their power to reconcile the kings in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Alexandria&groupId=1063&placeId=1868">Alexandria</a>.

Walbank Commentary

Overview

31.2.1 - 31.2.14

The Senate's decision on <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Syria&groupId=995&placeId=502">Syria</a>: legati sent to <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Macedonia&groupId=723&placeId=428">Macedonia</a> and Asia (163) This further excerpt from de legat. gent. refers to events of early 163, when news of Antiochus IV's death has reached <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a> (§ 4 n.); see p. 35.

Specifics

31.2.1 - 31.2.1

<emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">Δημήτριος ὁ τοῦ Σελεύκου</w>:</emph> cf. iii. 5. 3 n. The later Demetrius I Soter was Seleucus IV's son, born in 186 and sent, probably in 176, as hostage to <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a> to replace his uncle, the later Antiochus IV, who had been there since 189 (App. Syr. 45); this is likely to have been done on Roman initiative (M<w lang="el-GR">φ</w>rkholm, 36). Demetrius had thus served for thirteen years.

31.2.2 - 31.2.2

<emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">Ἀντιόχου δὲ μετειληφότος τὴν βασιλείαν</w>:</emph> Antiochus IV; on the circumstances of his accession in 175 see xxvi. 1 a 1 n. <emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">ὑπὲρ</w></emph> 〈 <emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">τῶν</w></emph> 〉 <emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">ἐκείνου τέκνων ὁμηρεύειν</w>:</emph> Demetrius ought not to be required to continue as a hostage for Epiphanes' children. <w lang="el-GR">ὑπὲρ</w> is 'as a guarantee for', like <w lang="el-GR">τῆς ἐκείνου πίδτεως ἕνεκεν</w>, rather than 'in place of' (cf. Aymard, tudes, 254 n. 1). Aymard, loc. cit., deduces from the plural <w lang="el-GR">τέκνων</w> (cf. § 4, <w lang="el-GR">τοῖς Ἀντιόχου τέκνοῖς)</w> that Antiochus IV <milestone unit="page" n="465">[465]</milestone> had associated a son Antiochus on the throne with him; cf. xxvi. 1 a 1 n. But the plural probably means simply, in general terms, that Demetrius ought not to act as hostage for Epiphanes' sons and (§ 4) that his claim to the throne surpassed theirs (cf. Zambelli, Riv. fil. 1960, 368–70).

31.2.4 - 31.2.4

<emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">τότε δέ</w>:</emph> in 163, after Antiochus IV's death was known at <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a>. <emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">καθήκειν γὰρ αὑτῷ . . . τὴν ἀρχήν</w>:</emph> as the elder son of Seleucus IV, the lately deceased Antiochus IV's elder brother.

31.2.5 - 31.2.5

<emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">μάλιστα προσδραμόντος ἐν τῷ λέγειν</w>:</emph> 'particularly sought their favour by saying'; for this sense of <w lang="el-GR">προστρέχειν</w> cf. xxvii. 15. 12. <emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">τοὺς δὲ βουλευτάς</w>:</emph> 'senators'; a usage found in authors (but not in official documents). It does not appear elsewhere in P. See in general Mason, 31. <emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">ἔτι νήπιος</w>:</emph> despite the clause in the treaty with Antiochus III (xxi. 43. 22) requiring the hostages to be not younger than eighteen; this supports the view (§ 1 n.) that the substitution of Demetrius for Antiochus was a special transaction instigated by the Senate.

31.2.7 - 31.2.7

<emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">ὑπιδομένη τὴν ἀκμὴν τοῦ</w> D<w lang="el-GR">ημητρίου κτλ</w>:</emph> this motivation is repeated by App. Syr. 46; Zon. ix. 25; it will reflect the view of P.'s circle of friends among the Greek detainees. The son of Antiochus whom the Senate confirmed as king was Antiochus V Eupator (cf. 11. 8).

31.2.9 - 31.2.9

<emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">καταστήσαντες πρεσβευτάς</w>:</emph> on Cn. Octavius see xxviii. 3. 1 n.; cf. Cic. Phil. ix. 9, 'missus a senatu ad animos regum perspiciendos liberorumque populorum'. Sp. Lucretius had been praetor in 172 in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Spain&groupId=983&placeId=1735">Spain</a>, and had been a legatus of Q. Marcius Philippus against Perseus in 169 (Livy, xliv. 7. 1, 7. 12); see Mnzer, RE, 'Lucretius (14)', cols. 1658–9 (wrongly dating this embassy to 164). L. Aurelius Orestes was later consul in 157, and led an embassy to <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Corinth&groupId=493&placeId=928">Corinth</a> on the eve of the Achaean War (xxxviii. 9. 1); cf. Klebs, RE, 'Aurelius (179)', cols. 2514–15. Zon. ix. 25 says they were ostensibly to be the king's guardians; this is to be rejected.

31.2.10 - 31.2.10

<emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">τοῦ . . . βασιλέως? παιδὸς ὄντος</w>:</emph> according to Appian (Syr. 46 and 66) Antiochus V was nine when his father died in 164. Porphyry (FGH, 260 F 32 § 13) makes him twelve, but this would imply that Antiochus IV married while a hostage in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a>; hence Appian's date, which would put his birth in 174 or 173, is the more likely (cf. Mrkholm, 48). <emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">τῶν . . . προεστώτων ἀσμενιζόντων κτλ</w>:</emph> evidently hoping to manipulate the young king.

31.2.11 - 31.2.11

<emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">τὰς ναῦς τὰς καταφράκτους διαπρῆσαι</w>:</emph> forbidden under the treaty of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Apamea&groupId=340&placeId=660">Apamea</a> (cf. xxi. 43. 13 n. for the naval clause, reading <w lang="el-GR">μηκέτι ἐχέτω πλὴν δέκα ἀφράκτων κτλ</w>.) but the clause had not been rigorously enforced, any more than had the clause concerning the elephants. For Antiochus IV's invasion of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Cyprus&groupId=119&placeId=356">Cyprus</a> with a fleet in <milestone unit="page" n="466">[466]</milestone> 168 see Livy, xlv. 11. 9, 12. 7 (Polybian); cf. 1 Macc. i. 17, 2 Macc. iv. 20; cf. McDonald and Walbank, JRS, 1969, 38; Mrkholm, 27 n. 28. <emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">τοὺς ἐλέφαντας νευροκοπῆσαι</w>:</emph> cf. xxi. 43. 12 (forbidden in the treaty of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Apamea&groupId=340&placeId=660">Apamea</a>). For the use of war-elephants in Judaea by Lysias see 1 Macc. iii. 34, vi. 30 ff., 2 Macc. xi. 4, xiii. 2, 15. It is not clear why the Senate decided to act now and not earlier.

31.2.12 - 31.2.12

<emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">ἀήθεις? . . . δημοκρατικῆς καὶ συνεδριακῆς πολιτείας</w>?:</emph> 'unaccustomed to democratic government based on a council' in contrast to government by kings. The implications of the phrase have been much discussed. Under the system established in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Macedonia&groupId=723&placeId=428">Macedonia</a> after <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Pydna&groupId=919&placeId=1647">Pydna</a> (cf. xxx. 13. 1–11 n. for the meeting called to <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Amphipolis&groupId=320&placeId=623">Amphipolis</a> by Aemilius Paullus to announce the decision; Livy, xlv. 29. 1–14) the country had no central organization (as Feyel argued, BCH, 1946, 187–98), but was divided into four regiones, each with its own concilium; according to Livy, xlv. 32. 2, 'senatores, quos synhedros uocant, legendos esse, quorum consilio res publica administraretur'. Larsen (CP, 1949, 73–90) concluded from this that the Macedonian regions (merides) possessed only representative councils; but Aymard, tudes, 164–77, argued that there is no evidence to prove or disprove the existence of primary assemblies as well. However, when he describes the measures adopted to avoid providing opportunities for demagogues, Livy, xlv. 18. 6–7 mentions only the setting up of regional bodies rather than a central one; and Musti, Annali di <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Pisa&groupId=904&placeId=1625">Pisa</a>, 1967, 184–6, remarks on his omission of any reference (such as might have been expected) to a contrast between a primary body and a representative one, and concludes that there was consequently no move over to a representative system. The political conflicts mentioned here he regards as more likely to have arisen in a primary assembly. As Aymard saw, the evidence will not allow a firm answer. Nevertheless, if there is any truth in Livy's statement that the Senate hoped to eradicate the influence of demagogues (Livy, xlv. 18. 6–7), this would seem to be against their having set up primary assemblies; and since we know from Livy, xlv. 32. 2 (Polybian) that there were elected representatives called <w lang="el-GR">σύνεδροι</w>, it is hard to reject Larsen's interpretation of the present passage as meaning 'democratic and representative government' (a phrase taken from Thirlwall). Whether or not a primary assembly existed, the real business would seem to have been transacted by the synhedri. Larsen and Aymard agree that 'democratic' here means primarily 'republican, without kings' (cf. Larsen, CP, 1945, 88–91; Aymard, tudes, 171 n. 4), whereas Musti (Annali di <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Pisa&groupId=904&placeId=1625">Pisa</a>, 1967, 155–207) would accord the word a fuller content. <emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">στασιάζειν πρὸς αὑτούς</w>:</emph> within the regional synedria; or P. may refer to something more violent. <milestone unit="page" n="467">[467]</milestone>

31.2.13 - 31.2.13

<emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">τὰ περὶ? τοὺς Γαλάτας κτλ</w>.:</emph> on Ariarathes IV's dispute with the Galatians see 8. 1–8.

31.2.14 - 31.2.14

<emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">τοὺς ἐν Ἀλεξανδρείᾳ βασιλεῖς</w>:</emph> despite Popillius' exhortation (xxix. 27. 9) strife had continued between Ptolemy VI and Ptolemy VIII. For an incident involving one Dionysius Petosarapis, who later escaped to stir up a native rising in the early 160's, see Diod. xxxi. 15 a; Otto, 6. Ptolemer, 91 n. 3. Shortly after October 164 Ptolemy VIII expelled Ptolemy VI (cf. Diod. xxxi. 18. 1–2; Livy, ep. 46; Val. Max. v. 1. 1; Trog. prol. 34; Porphyry, FGH, 260 F 2 § 7; Zon. ix. 25.3), who fled to <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a>. For some of the outrages committed in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Alexandria&groupId=1063&placeId=1868">Alexandria</a> at this time by Timotheus see Diod. xxxi. 17 c, 20 (in reverse order); above, xxviii. 1.1 n. (on Timotheus and Damon). Papyri show that Ptolemy VI had been restored by 29 May (29 Pharmouthi) or possibly by 24 May (24 Pharmouthi) 163 (T. Reekmans and E. van't Dack, Chron. d'gypte, 1952, 149–95, especially 159–60; Skeat, 34); for a petition to him by twin temple-servants at <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Memphis&groupId=752&placeId=1371">Memphis</a> see Wilcken, UPZ, i. no. 41 ll. 4–5; and for an amnesty granted by Ptolemy VI see Wilcken, ibid. no. 111 (a letter from the king to the strategos of the Memphite nome; cf. Will, ii. 303). (For a fragment of what may be this amnesty see L. Koenen, P. Kroll; cf. Volkmann, RE, 'Ptolemaios (24)', col. 1712.) This suggests that his restoration was effected independently of the legati, who were perhaps given their instructions at the time this was done. (Otto, 6. Ptolemer, 92 n. 5, who wrote without the newer evidence, dates both Ariarathes IV's death and Ptolemy VI's restoration several months too late.) It is likely that L. Canuleius and Q. Marcius accompanied Ptolemy VI back to <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Alexandria&groupId=1063&placeId=1868">Alexandria</a> (cf. 10. 4 n.). If Cn. Octavius was murdered in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Syria&groupId=995&placeId=502">Syria</a> in 162 (Obsequens, 15), it was only then that the embassy reached <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Egypt&groupId=556&placeId=368">Egypt</a>. Shortly afterwards Ptolemy VI made a formal agreement with Ptolemy VIII (cf. xxxix. 7. 6, <w lang="el-GR">κατὰ συνθήκας)</w>, by which the latter was granted <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Cyrene&groupId=521&placeId=985">Cyrene</a> (Livy, ep. 47, 'foedus ictum ut alter Aegypto, alter Cyrenis regnaret; Trog. prol. 34, 'Romani inter fratres regna diuiserunt'; Zon. ix. 25.3; Porphyry, FGH, 260 F 2 § 7). How far the Romans were involved in this agreement is controversial; see 10. 6 n.

Polybius, Histories

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