31.3
At the
first meeting of the senate after his return there was a general demand that
the action of Philip and the grievances of the friendly States should take
precedence of all other business. The question was at once put in a crowded
House and a decree was made that the consul P. Aelius should send the man
whom he thought best, with full command to take over the fleet which Cn.
Octavius was bringing back from Africa and proceed to Macedonia. He
selected M. Valerius Laevinus, who was sent with the rank of propraetor.
Laevinus took thirty-eight of Octavius' ships which were lying at anchor off
Vibo and with these he sailed for Macedonia. He was met by M. Aurelius,
who gave him details about the strength of the land and sea forces which the
king had got together and the extent to which he was securing armed
assistance not only from the cities on the mainland, but also from the islands
in the Aegean, partly by his own personal influence, partly through his
agents. Aurelius pointed out that the Romans would have to display far
greater energy in the prosecution of this war, or else Philip, encouraged by
their slackness, would venture on the same enterprise which Pyrrhus, whose
kingdom was considerably smaller, had ventured on before. It was decided
that Aurelius should send this information in a despatch to the consuls and
the senate.