44.23
During
these proceedings in Italy, Perseus could not make up his mind to carry out
his project of gaining Gentius, king of the Illyrians, as an ally, as he would
have to spend money in so doing. But when he found that the Romans had
cleared the passes and that the supreme crisis of the war was at hand, he felt
that this business ought not to be put off any longer. Through Hippias, who
acted for him, he agreed to pay a sum of 300 silver talents on condition that
hostages were exchanged on both sides. Pantauchus, one of his closest
friends, was sent to complete the transaction. Pantauchus met the Illyrian
king at Meteon in the district of Libea, and there he received the king's
sworn word and the hostages. Gentius sent as his representative a man called
Olympius to claim from Perseus his sworn word and the hostages. Men were
sent with him to receive the money, and at the suggestion of Pantauchus,
Parmenio and Morcus were selected to accompany them to Rhodes. Their
instructions were not to go to Rhodes till they had received the king's sworn
word and the hostages, as at the request of both kings the Rhodians might be
induced to declare war against Rome. The adhesion of that nation, whose
naval reputation was then at its height, would, it was supposed, leave the
Romans no hope of victory either on sea or land. Perseus went from his
camp by the Elpeus with all his cavalry, and met the Illyrians at Dium. There,
with the cavalry drawn up all round them, the contracting parties ratified the
covenant between them, Perseus thinking that their presence at this solemn
ratification would give them fresh courage. Then the hostages were
exchanged in the sight of all; those who were to receive the money were then
sent to the royal treasury at Pella; those who were to accompany the Illyrian
envoys to Rhodes received instructions to embark at Thessalonica.
Metrodorus, who had recently come from Rhodes, was there, and he
asserted on the authority of Dinon and Polyaratus, leading men in the city,
that the Rhodians were prepared for war. He was appointed head of the joint
Macedonian and Illyrian legation.