31.28
As the
commencement of the war was marked by this successful expedition, various
princes and leading men from the countries bordering on Macedonia visited
the Roman camp; amongst them Pleuratus, the son of Scerdilaedus,
Amynander, king of the Athamanians, and Bato, the son of Longarus, who
represented the Dardanians. Longarus had been warring on his own account
with Demetrius, Philip's father. In reply to their offers of help the consul said
that he would avail himself of the services of the Dardanians and of Pleuratus
when he led his army into Macedonia. With Amynander he arranged that he
should induce the Aetolians to take part in the war. Envoys from Attalus had
also come, and he instructed them to ask the king to meet the Roman fleet at
Aegina where it was wintering and in conjunction with it to harass Philip, as
he had previously done, by naval operations. Emissaries were also sent to the
Rhodians urging them to take their share in the war. Philip, who had now
arrived in Macedonia, showed no less energy in making preparations for the
war. His son Perseus, a mere boy, to whom he had assigned some members
of his council to direct and advise him, was sent to hold the pass which leads
to Pelagonia. Sciathos and Peparethos, cities of some importance, were
destroyed that they might not enrich the hostile fleet with plunder. He sent
envoys to the Aetolians to prevent that people, excited at the arrival of the
Romans, from breaking faith with him.
