42.18
This
information added to that which Eumenes had given hastened their decision
to declare Perseus a public enemy; they recognised that he was not
meditating an honourable war in the spirit of a king, but was winding his way
through every criminal method of assassination and poisoning. The conduct
of the war was left to the new consuls. For the present, however, it was
decided that Cn. Sicinius should raise a force, which was to be taken to
Brundisium and sail across as soon as possible to Apollonia and Epirus and
occupy the cities on the coast, where the consul to whom Macedonia should
be allotted could find safe anchorage and disembark his men without trouble.
Eumenes had been detained a considerable time at Aegina, as the dangerous
nature of his wounds made his recovery slow and difficult. As soon as it was
safe for him to move, he went on to Pergamum and began to make energetic
preparations for war. This fresh crime of Perseus intensified his old enmity
towards him and proved a powerful incentive. Delegates from Rome went to
congratulate him on his escape from such great peril to his life. The
Macedonian war was put off for the year, and nearly all the praetors left for
their provinces, with the exception of M. Junius and S. Lucretius. They had
received Spain as their province, and after repeated requests they at length
prevailed on the senate to allow their army to be reinforced. They were,
empowered to raise 3000 infantry and 150 cavalry for the Roman legions,
and for the allied contingent 5000 infantry and 300 cavalry. This force was
transported to Spain with the new praetors.