would spare neither expense, application, nor danger, for the deliverance of Greece, and to acquire the Etolians the first rank in it; that with his numerous armies, there would arise from Asia, munitions of every kind; that all he desired of them, was, only to provide his troops with whatever might be necessary for their present subsistence. Having ended his speech, he withdrew.

The most judicious in the assembly saw plainly, that Antiochus, instead of a real and present succour, as he had promised, gave them little more than hopes and promises. They could have wished, that they had only chosen him arbiter and mediator between them and the Romans, and not leader of the war. However, Thoas having gained a majority, caused Antiochus to be nominated generalissimo. Thirty of their principal men were appointed for his council, whenever he should think proper to deliberate with them.

SECTION VI.

ANTIOCHUS POSSESSES HIMSELF OF CHALCIS, AND ALL EUBEAL THE ROMANS PROCLAIM WAR AGAINST HIM.

THE first subject on which the king and the Etolians deliberated, was, with what enterprise to begin first. It was thought advisable to make a second attempt on Chalcis; and thereupon the troops set out for that city, without loss of time. When they were

A. M. 3813. Ant. J. C. 191. Liv. 1. xxxv. n. 46–51. Appian. in Syriac. p. 92, 93.

near it, the king permitted the principal Etolians to have a conference with such citizens of Chalcis, as were come out of it on their arrival, The Etolians urged them in the strongest terms, to conclude an alliance with Antiochus, but without breaking their treaty with the Romans. They declared, that this prince was come into Greece, not to make it the seat of war; but actually to deliver it, and not merely in words, as the Romans had done. That nothing could be of greater advantage to the cities of Greece, than to live in amity with both, because that the one would always defend them against the other; and that, by this means, they would hold both in respect. That they would do well to consider, in case they should not agree to the proposal now made them, the great danger to which they would expose themselves; as the aid they might expect from the Romans was at a great distance; whereas the king was present, and at their gates.

Miction, one of the principal citizens of Chalcis, replied, that he could not guess what people it was, that Antiochus came to deliver, and for whose sake he had left his kingdom, and was come into Greece. That he knew of no city garrisoned by Roman soldiers, nor that paid the least tribute to the Romans, or complained of being oppressed by them. That, as for the inhabitants of Chalcis, they had no occasion for a deliverer, as they were free; nor of a defender, as they enjoyed the sweets of peace, under the protec tion, and with the amity of the Romans. That they did not refuse the amity either of the king, or of the Etolians; but that, if they would show themselves

friends, the first thing they were desired to do, was, to leave their island. That they were fully deter. mined, neither to admit them into their city, nor to make any alliance with them, but in concert with the Romans.

So

This answer was reported to the king; as he had brought but few troops, and was not able to force the city, he resolved to return to Demetrias. imprudent and ill concerted a first step did him no honour, and was no good omen with regard to the future.

They had recourse elsewhere, and endeavoured to bring over the Acheans and Athamanians. The former gave audience to the ambassadors of Antiochus, and those of the Etolians, at Egæ; where their assembly was held, in presence of Quintius, the Roman general.

Antiochus's ambassador spoke first. He was a vain man, as those generally are who live in the courts, and at the expense of princes; and, fancying himself a great orator, he spoke with an absolute and emphatical tone of voice. He told them, that a vast body of cavalry was passing the Hellespont, into Europe, consisting, partly of cuirassiers, and partly of bowmen, who, even when they were flying on horseback, turned about, and discharged their arrows with the surest aim. To this cavalry, which, according to him, were alone superior to the united forces of Europe, he added a more numerous infantry; the Dahæ, the Medes, the Elymeans, the Caddusians, and many

Is, ut plerique quos opes regiæ alunt, vaniloquus, maria terrasque inani sonitu verborum compleverat. Liv.

other terrible unknown nations. With regard to the fleet, he affirmed it would be so large, that no harbour of Greece could contain it; the right wing to be composed of Tyrians and Sidonians; the left of Aradians, and the Sidetes of Pamphylia; nations, who were allowed universally to be the best and most experienced mariners in the world; that it would be to no purpose to enumerate the immense sums which Antiochus was bringing with him; every one knowing, that the kingdoms of Asia had always abounded in gold; that they were to judge, in proportion, of the rest of the military preparations; that, in consequence, the Romans would not now have to do with a Philip, or an Hannibal; the latter being only a citizen of Carthage, and the former confined within the narrow limits of Macedonia; but with a prince, who was sovereign of all Asia, and part of Europe; that, nevertheless, though he was come from the most remote parts of the east, purely to restore the liberty of Greece, he did not require any article from the Acheans, that should interfere with the fidelity they might imagine they owed the Romans, their first friends and allies; that he did not desire them to unite their arms with his, against the people in question, but only to stand neuter, and not declare for either party.

Archidamus, the Etolian ambassador, spoke to the same effect; adding, that the safest and wisest course the Acheans could take, would be, to remain spectators of the war, and to wait in peace for the event, without sharing in it, or incurring any hazard. Then, growing warmer as he went on, he threw out invectives and reproaches against the Romans in general,

and against Quintius in particular. He called them an ungrateful people, who had forgot that they owed to the bravery of the Etolians, not only the victory they had gained over Philip; but their general's life, and the safety of their army. For, what, continued he, did Quintius do in this battle, worthy a great captain? He declared, that he himself had observed him, during the engagement, wholly employed in consulting the auspices, in sacrificing victims, and offering up vows, like an augur or a priest, whilst himself was exposing his person and life to the enemy's darts, for his defence and preservation.

To this Quintius answered, that it was plain which party Archidamus had studied to please by this speech; that, knowing the Acheans were perfectly acquainted with the disposition and character of the Etolians, whose courage consisted solely in words, not in actions; he had not endeavoured to gain their esteem; but had studied to ingratiate himself with the king's ambassadors, and, by their means, with the king himself; that if the world had not known till now, what it was that formed the alliance between Antiochus and the Etolians, the speeches made by the ambassadors showed it visibly enough; that on both sides, nothing but boasting and falsehood had been employed. That, vaunting of troops they had not, they seduced and blew up the vanity of each other, by false promises and vain hopes; the Etolians asserting boldly on one side, as you have just now heard, that they had defeated Philip, and preserved the Romans ; and that all the cities of Greece were ready to declare for Etolia; and the king, on the other side, affirming,