31.15
The
people were at once summoned to an assembly, in order that the king might
lay his wishes before them. It was, however, thought to be more in
accordance with his dignity that he should put what he wanted into writing,
rather than let his blushes be called up by having to recount his services to
the city or his modesty be shocked by the fulsome flattery of the applauding
crowd. Accordingly he drew up a written statement which was read in the
assembly, in which he enumerated the benefits he had conferred on their city
and described his contest with Philip, and urged them in conclusion to take
their part in the war while they had him and the Rhodians and, now
especially, the Romans to support them. If they hung back now they would
never have such an opportunity again. Then the envoys from Rhodes were
heard; they had quite lately done a good turn for the Athenians, for they had
recaptured and sent back to Athens four Athenian warships which the
Macedonians had taken. War against Philip was unanimously decided upon.
Extraordinary honours were paid to King Attalus and also to the Rhodians.
A proposal was carried to add to the old ten tribes a new one to be called the
Attalis tribe. The people of Rhodes were presented with a golden crown in
recognition of their bravery, and the full citizenship was granted to them just
they had previously granted it to the Athenians. After this Attalus rejoined
his fleet at Aegina and the Rhodians sailed to Cia, and from there made their
way home through the Cyclades. All the islands joined them with the
exception of Andros, Paros and Cythnos which were held by Macedonian
garrisons. Attalus had sent messengers to Aetolia and was waiting for the
envoys who were coming from there; their non-arrival kept him inactive for
some time. He could not induce the Aetolians to take up arms, they were
only too glad to remain at peace with Philip on any terms. But had he in
conjunction with the Rhodians vigorously opposed Philip, they might have
won the glorious title of Liberators of Greece. Instead of this, they allowed
him to cross the Hellespont a second time and seize an excellent position in
Thrace where he could concentrate his forces, and thus they gave fresh life
to the war and surrendered the glory of bringing it to a close the Romans.
