31.16
Philip
showed a more kingly spirit. Though he had not held his own against Attalus
and the Rhodians he was not alarmed even at the prospect of a war with
Rome. Philocles, one of his generals, was sent with a force of 2000 infantry
and 200 cavalry to ravage the lands of the Athenians, and Heraclides was
placed in charge of the fleet with instructions to sail for Maronea. Philip
himself marched thither overland with 2000 men in light marching order, and
took the place at the first assault. Aenos gave him a good deal of trouble, but
he finally effected its capture through the treachery of Callimedes, who was
holding the place for Ptolemy. Cypsela, Doriscos and Serrheum were taken
in rapid succession and he then advanced to the Chersonese where Elaeus
and Alopeconnesus voluntarily surrendered. Callipolis and Madytos fell
through treachery; together with some other unimportant fortified places.
The people of Abydos would not even admit his envoys and closed their
gates against the king. The siege of this place detained Philip for a
considerable time, and if Attalus and the Rhodians had shown the smallest
energy they might have saved the place. Attalus sent only 300 men to assist
in the defence and the Rhodians despatched one quadrireme out of their fleet
which was lying at anchor off Tenedos. Later on, when they could hardly
hold out any longer, Attalus himself sailed to Tenedos, and after raising their
hopes by his approach did not afford his allies any assistance either by land
or sea.