34.30
Nabis
was thoroughly alarmed at the appearance of the Roman fleet and the loss of
the towns on the coast, but as long as Gytheum was held by his men he
accepted the situation though with faint hopes of success. When, however,
he heard that it too had passed into the hands of the Romans he realised the
hopelessness of his position with the enemy all round his frontiers and the
sea entirely closed to him. He saw that he must yield to circumstances, and
accordingly he sent a herald to the Roman camp to find out whether they
would allow him to send envoys to them. His request was granted, and
Pythagoras was sent to the general for the sole purpose of asking him to
meet the tyrant in conference. The military council was convened and they
were unanimously of opinion that a conference should be granted and the
time and place were settled. The two principals proceeded to some rising
ground midway between their camp accompanied by small escorts. Here the
escorts were left well in view of the troops on both sides and Nabis went
forward with some of his bodyguard, whilst Quinctius advanced to meet him
accompanied by his brother, Eumenes, Sosilaus the Rhodian, Aristaenus, the
captain-general of the Achaeans, and the military tribunes.
