parts of the wall as were beat down. In their frequent sallies, they charged with a violence it was scarce pos. sible to support, for they fought in the highest despair. They burned, in an instant, the greatest part of the machines employed against them. The attack was continued in this manner for twenty four days, without the least intermission, either day or night.

It was plain, that as the garrison did not consist of near so many forces as the Roman army, it must necessarily be greatly weakened by such violent and uninter rupted assaults. And now the consul formed a new plan. He discontinued the attack at twelve every night, and did not renew it till about nine the next morning. The Etolians, not doubting but this proceeded from the over fatigue of the besiegers, and persuaded that they were as much exhausted as themselves, they took advantage of the repose allowed them, and retired at the same time with the Romans. They continued this practice for some time; but the consul having drawn off his troops at midnight, as usual; at three, that morning, he assaulted the city in three places only; placing, at a fourth, a body of troops, who were commanded not to move, till a signal should be given. Such Etolians as were asleep, being very drowsy and heavy, from fatigue, were waked, with the utmost difficulty; and those who rose from their slumbers, ran up and down at random, wherever the noise called them. At daybreak, the signal being given by the consul, the assault was made in that part of the city which had not yet been attacked; and from whence the besieged, on that account, had drawn off their people. The city was taken in an instant, and the Etolians fled, with the

utmost precipitation, into the citadel.

The general

suffered the city to be plundered, not so much from a spirit of hatred and revenge, as to reward the soldiers, who, till now, had not been allowed to plunder any of the cities they had taken. As the citadel was in want of provisions, it could not hold out long; and accordingly, at the first assault, the garrison surrendered. Among the prisoners was Damocritus, a person of the greatest distinction among the Etolians, who, in the beginning of the war, had answered Quintius, "That he would bring him the decree to Italy, by which he had just before called in Antiochus."

At the same time, Philip was besieging Lamia,' which was but seven miles from Heraclea. It did not hold out long after the latter was taken.

Some days before this, the Etolians had deputed ambassadors, with Thoas at their head, to Antiochus. The king promised them a speedy succour; gave them immediately a considerable sum of money, and kept Thoas, who staid very willingly with him, to hasten the execution of his promises.

m

The Etolians, who were exceedingly discouraged by the taking of Heraclea, considered how they might best put an end to a war, which had already been attended with very unhappy effects, and might have much worse. But the populace, not approving the conditions of peace which were prescribed, the ncgotiation came to nothing.

Both Lamia and Heraclea were in Phthiotis.

Liv. 1. xxxvi. n. 27-35.

In the mean time, the consul laid siege to Naupactus, in which the Etolians had shut themselves up, with all their forces. The siege had already been carried on two months, when Quintius, who, during this time, had been employed in Greece, in other matters, came thither and joined the consul. joined the consul. The destruction of that city would involve almost the whole people in the same fate. The usage which Quintius had met with from the Etolians, had given him the greatest reason to be dissatisfied with them. However, he was moved to compassion, when he saw them on the brink of destruction; and therefore, he advanced so near the walls, as to be known by the besieged. The city was reduced to the last extremities. A rumour being spread that Quintius was approaching, immediately the citizens ran from all quarters to the walls. Those unfortunate people stretching forth their hands towards Quintius, and calling him by his name, all burst into tears, and implored his assistance with the most mournful cries. Quintius, moved with their condition, even to shedding of tears, expressed, by his gesture, that he could do nothing for them, and returned to the consul. In their conversation, he represented, that as he had overcome Antiochus, it was but lost time to continue the siege of those two cities, and that the year of his command was near expiring. Acilius agreed with him; but, being ashamed to raise the siege, he left Quintius at liberty to act as he pleased. The latter, advancing near the walls a second time, the mournful cries were again heard, and the citizens besought him to take compassion of them. Quintius, by a sign with his hand, bid them send deputies to him; when

immediately Phineas, and the principal citizens came out, and threw themselves at his feet. Seeing them in that humble posture; "Your calamity," says he, "banishes from my mind all thoughts of resentment and revenge. You now find, that all things have happened as I foretold you they would; and you have not the consolation of being able to say, that none of these misfortunes were owing to yourselves. But destined, as I am, by Providence, to preserve Greece, your ingratitude shall not cancel my inclination to do good. Depute, therefore, some persons to the consul, and beg a truce for as much time as may suffice for sending ambassadors to Rome, in order to make your submissions to the senate. I will be your mediator and advocate with the consul." They followed Quintius's advice in every thing. The consul granted them a truce, broke up the siege, and marched back his army to Phocis.

King Philip sent ambassadors to Rome, to congratulate the Romans on the happy success of this campaign, and to offer presents and sacrifices to the gods in the capitol. They were received there with the highest marks of distinction; and the Romans gave up to them Demetrius, the son of Philip, who had been an hostage in their city. Thus ended the war which the Romans carried on against Antiochus in Greece.

SECTION VII.

DEFEATED

BY LIVIUS.

1. SCIPIO CARRIES OX AGAINST ANTIOCHUS, AND DEFEAIS HIM NEAR

"WHILST the affairs I have just related passed in Greece, Antiochus lived easy and undisturbed in Ephesus; relying on the assurances of his flatterers and courtiers, that he had no reason to be under any apprehensions from the Romans; who, they declared, did not intend to cross into Asia. Hannibal was the only person capable of rousing him from this lethargy. He told the king plainly, that instead of entertaining vain hopes, and suffering himself to be lulled asleep by irrational and improbable discourse; he might be assured, that he would soon be forced to fight the Romans both by sea and land, in Asia, and for Asia; and that he must resolve, either to renounce the empire of it, or to defend it, sword in hand, against enemies who aspired at no less than the conquest of the whole world.

The king then became sensible of the great danger he was in, and immediately sent orders to hasten the march of the eastern troops which were not yet arrived. He also fitted out a fleet, embarked, and sailed to the Chersonesus. He there fortified Lysimachia, Sestus, Abydos, and other cities in that neighbourhood, to prevent the Romans from crossing into Asia by the Hellespont; and this being done, he returned to Ephesus.

" A. M. 3813. Ant. J. C. 191. Liv. 1. xxxvi. n. 41–45. Appian. in Syriac. p. 99, 100.