: "grounded? I do not inquire into the treatment which Capua "met with, after you had taken that city: why then do you ❝ examine into cur usage of the Lacedæmonians, atter we had "conquered them? Some of them were killed and I will sup66 pose that it was by us. But did not you strike off the heads "of several Campanian senators? We lévelled the walls of "Sparta with the ground; but as for you, Romans, you not "only dispossessed the Campanians of their walls, but of their "city and lands. To this I know you will reply, that the equa "lity expressed in the treaties between the Romans and "Achæans is merely specious, and a bare form of words: that 66 we really have but a precarious and derivative liberty; but "that the Romans are possessed of authority and empire. This, "Appius, I am but too sensible of. However, since we must be "forced to submit to this, I entreat you at least, how wide a "difference soever you may set between yourselves and us, not "to put your enemies and our own upon a level with us who وو are your allies; especially not to show them better treatCs ment. They require us, by forswearing ourselves, to dissolve "and annul all we have enacted by oath and to revoke that, "which by being written in our records, and engraved on "marble, in order to preserve the remembrance of it eternally, " is become a sacred monument which it is not lawful for us to "violate. We revere you, O Romans; and if you will have it 66 so, we also fear you; but then, we think it glorious to have a greater reverence and fear for the immortal gods.' The greatest part of the assembly applauded this speech, and all were unanimous in their opinion, that he had spoken like a true magistrate; it was therefore necessary for the Romans to act with vigour, or resolve to lose their authority. Appius, without descending to particulars, advised them, whilst they still enjoyed their freedom, and had not received any orders, to make a merit with regard to the Romans, of making that their own decree, which might afterwards be enjoined them. They were grieved at these words, but were instructed by them, not to persist obstinately in the refusal of what should be demanded. All they therefore desired was, that the Romans would decree whatever they pleased with regard to Sparta, but not oblige the Achæans to break their oath, by annulling their decree themselves. As to the sentence that was just before passed against Areus and Alcibiades, it was immediately repealed. *The Romans pronounced judgment the year following. * Liv. 1. xxxi. n. 48. The chief articles of the ordinance were, that those persons who had been condemned by the Achæans should be recalled and restored; that all sentences relating to this affair should be repealed, and that Sparta should continue a member of the Achæan league. * Pausanias adds an article not taken notice of by Livy, that the walls which had been demolished should be rebuilt. Q. Marcius was appointed Commissary, to settle the affairs of Macedon, and those of Peloponnesus, where great feuds and disturbances subsisted, especially between the Achaans on one side, and the Messenians and Lacedæmonians on the other. † They all had sent ambassadors to Rome; but it does not appear that the senate was in any great haste to put an end to their differences. The answer they made to the Lacedæmonians was, that the Romans were determined not to trouble themselves any further about their affairs. The Achaans demanded aid of the Romans against the Messenians, pursuant to the treaty; or, at least, not to suffer arms or provisions to be transported out of Italy, to the latter people. It was answered them that when any cities broke their alliance with the Achæans, the senate did not think itself obliged to enter into those disputes; for that this would open a door to ruptures and divisions, and even, in some measure, give a sanction to them. In these proceedings appears the artful and jealous policy of the Romans, which tended solely to weaken Philip and the Achæans, of whose power they were jealous, and who covered their ambitious designs with the specious pretence of succouring the weak and oppressed. SECTION X. PHILOPOEMEN BESIEGES MESSENE. HE IS TAKEN PRISONER AND PUT TO DEATH.-PTOLEMY EPIPHANES DIES. DINOCRATES the Messenian‡, who had a particular enmity to Philopomen, had drawn off Messene from the Achæan league, and was meditating how he might best sieze upon a considerable post called Corone, near that city. Philopo men, then 70 years of age, and generalissimo of the Achæans for the eighth time, lay sick. However, the instant the news of this was brought him, he set out, notwithstanding his indisposition, made *In Achaiac. p. 414. Polyb. in Legat. c. 51. A. M. 3821. Ant. J. C. 183. Liv, 1. xxxix. n, 48. Plut. in Phi lop. p. 366-368. Polyb. in Legat. c. 52, 53. a counter-march, and advanced towards Messene with a small body of forces, consisting of the flower of the Megalopolitan youth. Dinocrates, who had marched out against him, was soon put to flight; but 500 troopers who guarded the open country of Messene, happening to come up and reinforce him, he faced about. and routed Philopomen. This general, who was solicitous of nothing but to save the gallant youths who had followed him in this expedition, performed the most extraordinary acts of bravery: but happening to fall from his horse, and receiving a deep wound in the head, he was taken prisoner by the enemy, who carried him to Messene. Plutarch considers this ill fortune of Philopo men, as the punishment for some rash and arrogant words that had escaped him upon his hearing a certain general applauded: "Ought that man,” says he, "to be valued who suffers himself to be taken alive by the (6 enemy, whilst he has arms to defend himself." Upon the arrival of the first news which was carried to Messene, viz. that Philopomen was taken prisoner, and on his way to that city, the Messenians were in such transports of joy, that they all ran to the gates of the city; not being able to persuade themselves of the truth of what they heard, till they saw him themselves, so greatly improbable did this relation appear to them. To satisfy the violent curiosity of the inhabitants, many of whom had not yet been able to get a sight of him, they were forced to show the illustrious prisoner on the theatre, where multitudes came to see him. When they beheld Philopomen dragged along in chains, most of the spectators were so much moved with compassion, that the tears trickled from their eyes. There even was heard a murmur among the people, which resulted from humanity and a very laudable gratitude; "That the "Messemans ought to call to mind the great services done by "Philopomen, and his preserving the liberty of Achaia, by "the defeat of Nabis the tyrant." But the magistrates did not suffer him to be long exhibited in this manner, lest the pity of the people should be attended with ill consequences. They therefore took him away on a sudden; and, after consulting to. gether, caused him to be conveyed to a place called the Trea. sury. This was a subterraneous place, whither neither light nor air entered from without, and had no door to it, but was shut with a huge stone that was rolled over the entrance of it. In this dungeon they imprisoned Philopomen, and posted a guard round every part of it. As soon as it was night, and all the people were withdrawn, Dinocrates causeed the stone to be rolled away, and the execu tioner to descend into the dungeon with a dose of poison to Philopamen, commanding him not to stir till he had swallowed it. The moment the illustrious Megalopolitan perceived the first glimmerings of light, and saw the man advance towards him, with a lamp in one hand and a sword in the other, he raised himself with the utmost difficulty (for he was very weak), sat down, and then taking the cup, he inquired of the executioner whether he could tell what was become of the young Megalopolitans his followers, particularly Lycortas? The executioner answering that he heard almost all of them had saved themselves by flight, Philopomen thanked him by a nod, and looking kindly on him, "You bring me," says he, "good news; and "I find we are not entirely unfortunate:" after which, without breathing the least complaint, he swallowed the dreadful dose, and laid himself again on his cloak. The poison was very speedy in its effects; for Philopomen being extremely weak and feeble, he expired in a moment. When the news of his death spread among the Achæans, all their cities were inexpressibly afflicted and dejected. Immediately all their young men who were of age to bear arms, and all their magistrates, came to Megalopolis. Here a grand council being summoned, it was unanimously resolved not to delay a moment the revenge of so horrid a deed; and accordingly, having elected on the spot Lycortas for their general, they advanced with the utmost fury into Messene, and filled every part of it with blood and slaughter. The Messenians having now no refuge left, and being unable to defend themselves by force of arms, sent a deputation to the Achæans to desire that an end might be put to the war, and to beg pardon for their past faults. Lycortas, moved at their entreaties, did not think it advisable to treat them as their furious and insolent revolt seemed to deserve. He told them, that there was no other way for them to expect a peace, but by delivering up the authors of the revolt, and of the death Philopomen, to submit all their affairs to the disposal of the Achæans; and to receive a garrison into their citadel. These conditions were accepted and executed immediately. Dinocrates, to prevent the ignominy of dying by an executioner, laid violent hands upon himself, in which he was imitated by all those who had advised the putting Philopomen to death. Lycortas caused those to be delivered up, who had advised the insulting of Philopomen. These were undoubtedly the persons who were stoned round his tomb, as we shall soon see. The funeral obsequies of Philopomen were then solemnized. VOL. VII. F After the body had been consumed by the flames, his ashes laid together and deposited in an urn, the train set out for Megalo. polis. This procession did not so much resemble a funeral as a triumph; or rather it was a mixture of both. First came the infantry, their brows adorned with crowns, and all shedding floods of tears. Then followed the Messenian prisoners bound in chains: afterwards the general's son, young * Polybius, carrying the urn adorned with ribbons and crowns, and accompanied by the noblest and most distinguished Achæans. The urn was followed by all the cavalry, whose arms glittered magnificently, and whose horses were all richly caparisoned, who closed the march, and did not seem too much dejected at this mournful scene, nor too much elated from their victory. All the inhabitants of the neighbouring towns and villages flocked to meet the procession, as if they came in honour of a victory obtained. All possible honours were done to Philopomen at his interment, and the Messenian captives were stoned round his sepulchre. The cities in general, by decrees enacted for that purpose, ordered all the greatest honours to be paid him, and erected many statues to him with magnificent inscriptions. Several years after, at the time that Corinth was burned and destroyed by Mummius the proconsul, a false accuser, a Roman, as I observed elsewhere, used his utmost endeavours to get them broke to pieces; prosecuted him criminally, as if alive; charging him with having been an enemy to the Romans, and of discovering a hatred for them on all occasions. The cause was heard in council before Mummius. The slanderer exhibited all his articles of impeachment, and expatiated on them. They were answered by Polybius, who refuted them with great solidity and eloquence. It is great pity so affecting a piece should have been lost. Neither Mummius, nor his council, would permit the monuments of that great man's glory to be destroyed, though he had opposed like a bulwark, the successes of the Romans: for the Romans of that age, says Plu tarch, made the just and proper disparity between virtue and interest; they distinguished the glorious and honest from the profitable; and were persuaded, that worthy persons ought to honour and revere the memory of men who signalized themselves by their virtue, though they had been their enemies. Livy tells us, that the Greek as well as the Roman writers observe that three illustrious men, Philopomen, Hannibal, and *This was Polybius the historian, who might then be about 22. † 37 years. |