43.20
These
envoys crossed the summit of Mount Scordus and made their way through
the desert solitudes in Illyria, which the Macedonians had created in their
systematic devastations to prevent the Dardanians from finding an easy
passage into either Illyria or Macedonia. It was with the utmost difficulty
that they at last reached Scodra. The king was at Lissus. He invited them
there and lent a favourable ear to what they had been instructed to say. His
reply, however, was one of noncommittal; he said that it was not the will to
join in the war against Rome that was lacking; the greatest lack of all was the
lack of money; this prevented him from attempting what he wished. This
reply was brought to the king just when he happened to be selling the Illyrian
prisoners. He at once sent the negotiators back again, together with
Glaucias, one of his bodyguard, but without a mention of money; though
without this the needy barbarian could not have been dragged into the war.
After devastating Ancyra, Perseus led his army into Penestia and secured
Uscana, and all the fortified places in its neighbourhood which he had
captured, with garrisons, after which he returned into Macedonia.
