Sextus Julius and his colleagues on their way from <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a> to the Peloponnesus met the envoys headed by Thearidas who had been sent by the Achaeans to excuse themselves and to inform the senate of the truth concerning the foolish insults inflicted on Aurelius and his fellow-legates.
Sextus and his colleagues upon meeting the Achaean envoys begged them to return to <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Achaea&groupId=272&placeId=533">Achaea</a>, as they themselves were charged to discuss the whole matter with the Achaeans.
When upon reaching the Peloponnesus they conversed with the Achaeans in Aegium their language was most courteous; they scarcely alluded to the charge of ill-treating the legates or demanded any justification of the conduct of the Achaeans, but taking a most favourable view of what had occurred than the Achaeans themselves, begged them not to give any further offence either to the Romans or to the Lacedaemonians.
Upon this all the wiser people gladly accepted the advice, conscious as they were of their error and having before their eyes the fate that awaited those who opposed <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a>; but the majority, while having nothing to say against the just strictness of Sextus and being obliged to keep silence, yet remained ill-conditioned and demoralized.
And Diaeus and Critolaus and all who shared their views — and these were, so to speak, a deliberate selection from each city of the worst men, the most god-forsaken and the greatest corruptors of the nation — not only as the proverb has it, took with left hand what the Romans gave with the right, but were under an entire and absolute misconception.
For they imagined that the Romans, owing to their campaigns in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Africa&groupId=300&placeId=294">Africa</a> and in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Spain&groupId=983&placeId=1735">Spain</a>, were afraid of a war with the Achaeans, and consequently tolerated everything and were ready to say anything.
Consequently, thinking that they were masters of the situation, they answered the legates in courteous terms, insisting, however, upon sending Thearidas and his colleagues to the senate: they themselves would accompany the legates as far as <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Tegea&groupId=1011&placeId=1780">Tegea</a>, where they would discuss matters with the Lacedaemonians and try to find a means of coming to an agreement with them which would put an end to the war.
After giving this answer, they by their future conduct, led on the unhappy nation to adopt the mistaken policy they had set their hearts on.
What else could be expected when those in power were so ignorant and ill-disposed?
Walbank Commentary