44.10
When
Perseus had recovered from his panic, he began to wish that his commands
had not been obeyed, when in his hurry he ordered his treasure at Pella to be
thrown into the sea and the naval arsenal at Thessalonica to be burnt.
Andronicus, who had been sent for that purpose to Thessalonica, had
delayed carrying out his orders and, as it happened, left the king time for
repentance. Nicias was not so cautious and had thrown that part of the
money which was lying at Phacus overboard, but the mistake proved to be
not irremediable, for almost the whole was fished up by divers. The king was
so ashamed of his fright that he ordered the divers to be secretly put to
death, and the same fate overtook Andronicus and Nicias, in order that no
one alive might know anything about his insane orders. C. Marcius sailed
with his fleet from Heracleum to Thessalonica and disembarking armed
forces on many points along the coast devastated the country far and wide.
He engaged successfully the troops who hurried out of the city and drove
them back in hasty flight to the shelter of their walls. He was now creating
alarm in the city itself, but the citizens placed artillery of all kinds on the
walls, and not only those who ventured near the walls but even the men on
board were hit by the stones which hurtled from their engines. The troops
were accordingly ordered again on board and the siege of Thessalonica was
abandoned. They sailed thence to Aelia, about fifteen miles distant, lying
opposite to Pydna, and possessing a fertile soil. After devastating this district
they coasted along as far as Antigonea. Here they went ashore and carried
off a considerable amount of plunder to the ships. While thus engaged they
were attacked by a composite force of Macedonian infantry and cavalry,
who put them to flight and pursued them down to the shore, killing some
500 of them and taking quite as many prisoners. Finding themselves
prevented from gaining the safe shelter of their ships, the very necessity of
their situation rekindled the courage of the Romans, and under the incentives
of shame and despair they renewed the fight on the beach. The men in the
ships helped them and about 200 Macedonians were slain and an equal
number were taken prisoners.
