34.59
As
Hegesianax hesitated and could not deny that the cause of liberty carried a
more honourable title than that of slavery, P. Sulpicius, the senior of the ten
commissioners, said: "Let us have no more beating about the bush; choose
one of the two conditions which Quinctius has just put forward so clearly;
choose or drop this idle plea of friendship." "It is not our wish," said
Menippus, "nor is it in our power to enter into any compact by which the
sovereign rule of Antiochus will be impaired." The next day Quinctius
introduced to the senate all the deputations from Greece and Asia, in order
that they might learn the attitude of the Romans and that of Antiochus
towards the cities of Greece. He laid his own demands before them and then
those of the king, and told them to report to their governments that the
Romans would show the same courage and fidelity in vindicating their
liberties against Antiochus, if he did not quit Europe, which they had shown
in liberating them from Philip. On this Menippus earnestly begged Quinctius
and the senate not to precipitate a decision which might, when once taken,
throw the world into confusion. He asked them to take time for reflection
and allow the king to do the same. When the conditions were reported to
him, he would take them into consideration and would obtain some
modification of them or make some concessions for the sake of peace. So
the whole matter was postponed and it was decided that the same
commissioners should be sent to the king who had been with him at
Lysimachia, namely P. Sulpicius, P. Villius and P. Aelius.
