42.38
When
Marcius and Atilius went up to Gitana in Epirus, about ten miles from the
sea, where the national council of Epirus was being held, they received a
most favourable hearing, and 400 of the younger men were sent as a
protection to those Macedonians who had been freed by the senate. From
there they went into Aetolia and stayed there a few days until a chief
magistrate was elected in the place of the one who had died. Lyciscus, who
was known to be a supporter of the Romans, was elected, and after his
election they crossed over into Thessaly. Here they were visited by envoys
from Acarnania and refugees from Boeotia. The envoys were told to
announce to the Acarnanians that an opportunity was now offered of atoning
for any faults which in reliance on the false promises of the king they had
committed against Rome in the war with Philip and then in the war with
Antiochus. If their bad behaviour had met with the forbearance, their good
behaviour would win the generosity, of Rome. The Boeotians were severely
censured for having formed an alliance with Perseus. They threw the blame
on Ismenias, the leader of the opposite faction, and declared that some cities
had been brought over against the majority of the citizens. Marcius replied
that this would be cleared up as they would give every city the opportunity
of deciding for itself.
There was a meeting of the national council of Thessaly at Larisa.
The Thessalians had abundant material for thanking the Romans for the boon
of liberty, and the Roman envoys for expressing their thanks for the
whole-hearted assistance they had received from the Thessalians in the wars
against Philip and Antiochus. This mutual recognition of services rendered
made the assembled council eager to adopt every measure which the Romans
wished for. Close on this meeting came a deputation from Perseus. Their
hopes of success rested mainly on the personal tie of hospitality which
Marcius had inherited from his father. After alluding to this the delegates
asked that the king might be admitted to a personal interview. Marcius said
that he heard from his father that friendly relations had existed with Philip,
and bearing that fact in mind he had undertaken this mission. He would not
have put off a conference so long had he been well enough; now, as soon as
he could manage it, they would go to the Peneus where the road crosses
from Homolium to Dium and send to the king to announce their arrival.