34.40
Quinctius came to the conclusion that he
would gain more from playing on the enemy's fears than by what he had
hitherto achieved, and he kept them in a constant state of alarm for three
successive days by harassing them with attacks and throwing up barriers at
certain points to close the avenues of escape. Driven at last to submission by
this perpetual menace, the tyrant sent Pythagoras once more to open
negotiations. At first Quinctius refused to see him and ordered him to quit
the camp, but when he assumed a suppliant tone and fell on his knees, the
consul granted him an audience. He began by leaving everything at the
absolute discretion of the Romans, but he gained nothing by taking this line,
which was regarded as idle and leading to no result. Finally it was arranged
that, conditionally upon the acceptance of the terms which had a few days
previously been presented in writing, there should be a suspension of
hostilities; the money and the hostages were accepted. While the siege was
going on message after message reached Argos announcing the imminent
capture of Lacedaemon, and the spirits of the population were raised higher
by the departure of Pythagoras with the main strength of his garrison.
Feeling contempt for the few still remaining, they expelled them from the
citadel under the direction of a man called Archippus. Timocrates of Pellene
was allowed to leave under a safe-conduct owing to the clemency and
moderation he had shown as commandant. After granting peace to the
tyrant, and dismissing Eumenes and the Rhodians and sending his brother
Lucius back to the fleet, Quinctius went to Argos, where he found
everybody very happy.