42.53
There
had been frequent bursts of applause all through the speech, but at this point
such a shout of indignation and defiance arose, and encouraging cheers for
the king, that he brought his speech to a close, only adding that they must be
prepared to march, as there was a report that the Romans were already
advancing from Nymphaeum. When the troops were dismissed he proceeded
to give audience to the deputations from the Macedonian cities who had
made offers of money and corn, each according to their ability. He thanked
them all, and excused them from making any contribution as the royal stores
were sufficient for all requirements. He only requested them to furnish
wagons to carry the artillery, the enormous quantity of missiles that had been
got ready, and other apparatus of war. He now set forward with the whole
of his army in the direction of Eordaea, and encamped by Lake Begorritis.
The next day he reached the Haliacmon in Elimea. From there he crossed the
Cambunian Mountains through a narrow pass and came down to Azorus,
Pythoum and Doliche; the natives call these three towns the Tripolis. Here
he met with a short delay because they had given hostages to the Larisaeans;
in face, however, of the danger threatening them, they made their surrender.
He accepted their submission graciously, feeling quite sure that Perrhaebia
would do the same. The inhabitants made no show of resistance and he
captured the city as soon as he arrived there. Cyretia he was forced to
attack, and was actually repulsed in the first day's assault by a vigorous
charge of armed men from the gates. The next day he attacked in full
strength, and before night received the submission of the entire population.