Diodorus Siculus

FRAGMENTS - The Library of History



Page 783 upon him, what parts of Europe he should make his Concern; What Cities he should not meddle with, nor collect the Tributes of some that were in Arrear; that it was not usual for those that are making a Treaty upon equal Terms, but for the Conquerors, to Impose in such a manner; And that their Ambassadors that were sent to him to Lysimachia, imperiously charg'd him with these things: That Antiochus had no War with the Romans, and if they have a mind to enter into an Alliance and League with him, he was ready. Flamininus Answer'd, there were two things propounded by the Senate, let him chuse which of them he wou'd; and that is, If he would relinquish all his Pretences in Europe, the Romans would not meddle with his Concerns in Asia: And if this did not please him, then they were to let the King know that the Romans would assist their Friends and Allies when opprest. The Ambassadors reply'd, They could not agree to any thing that might impair the King's Sovereignty. The next day the Senate told the Grecians, That if Antiochus did busy himself, and intermeddle with any thing in Europe, the Romans wou'd with all their Care and Diligence imaginable set free all the Greeks that were in Asia. The Grecian Ambassadors hereupon approved of all by an Applause, but the King's Ambassadors intreated the Senate that they would consider into what Dangers and Miseries both Parties would be brought, and not to be rash in their Resolves, but that they wou'd give the King time to consult, and themselves to be better advis'd about these things.

V. As to the Aetolian Ambassadors that sought for Peace, the Senate decreed, that they should either give up all their Country to the Romans, or forthwith pay to them a Thousand Talents of Silver, upon this severe Answer (never suspecting any such thing would have been enjoyn'd) they were seized with great Fear, and being that they had adher'd to the King they fell into inextricable streights and perplexities, not having any means left, or way open to escape utter Ruin.

VI. Antiochus hearing that the Romans had pass'd over into Asia, sent Heraclides of Byzantium to Treat with the Consul about a Peace, with offers to bear half of the Charges of the War; to give up Lampsacus, Smyrna, and Alexandria, upon the account of which Cities he conceiv'd the War broke forth: For those were the first of all the Greek Cities of Asia that by their Ambassadors to the Senate, pray'd the Assistance of the Romans for the regaining of their Liberty.

VII. Antiochus promis'd Publius Scipio the President of the Council to release his Son without Ransom, whom he had taken prisoner when he lay about the Island Eubaea: and besides this, that he would give him a great Sum of Money upon the obtaining of a Peace. Scipio answer'd that he would return the King Thanks for the Release of his Son, but that he did not want those Sums; and in requital of so remarkable a Kindness, he advis'd him as a Friend not to withstand the Pomans, of whose Valour he had had Experience. But Antiochus judging those terms to be harder than were fit to be comply'd with, rejected his Advice.

VIII. In Rome before the overthrow of Antiochus, the Ambassadors from the Aetolians being brought into the Senate, and not in the least excusing the Faults, but setting forth the great Services the Aetolians had perform'd to the Roman State; one of the Senate rose up and ask'd the Ambassadors whether the Aetolians had given up themselves to the Protection of the Romans? The Ambassadors being hereupon silent and dumb, the Senate suspecting that the Aetolians fixt their hopes in Antiochus, sent them back into Greece with a fruitless Embassy.

IX. Antiochus laying aside all thoughts of War, sent Ambassadors to the Consul to ask Pardon for his Miscarriages, and to procure a Peace upon any terms that possibly might be had. The Consul keeping close to the Moderation and Clemency of his Country, and advis'd likewise by his Brother Publius, agreed to a Peace upon these Conditions;


That the King should leave all Europe to the Romans, and part likewise with all the Countries and Cities lying on this side the Taurus; That he should give up all his Elephants and long Ships, and pay all the Charges and Expences occasion'd by the War, which were computed to Fifteen thousand Eubaean Talents. That he should deliver up into their Hands Hannibal the Carthaginian, and Thoas the Aetolian, and some others, and give Twenty Hostages, such as the Romans should nominate.

Antiochus out of a longing desire of Peace having accepted these Conditions was freed from the War.

X. After the overthrow of Antiochus there came Ambassadors from all the Cities and States of Asia, some concerning the Freedom of their Cities, others relating to Congratulations for the good Services they had done for Rome, in joining in the War against Antiochus. To all which the Senate gave great Encouragement, and said they would send Ten Commissioners into Asia, who with the Generals should bring all Orders


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