32.15
The
first Thessalian city to be attacked was Phalorium. It was garrisoned by 2000
Macedonians, and as far as arms and fortifications could protect them they
offered a most determined resistance. The consul believed that failure to
withstand the Roman arms in this first instance would decide the attitude of
the Thessalians generally, and he pressed the attack day and night without
intermission. At last the resolution of the Macedonians was overcome and
Phalorium was taken. On this envoys came from Metropolis and Cierium to
surrender their cities and to ask that their offence might be condoned. Their
request was granted, but Phalorium was sacked and burnt. He then advanced
against Aeginium, but when he saw that the place was practically
impregnable even with a small force to defend it, he contented himself with
discharging a few missiles on the nearest outpost and diverted his march
toward, Gomphi. As he had spared the fields of the Epirotes his army was
now without the necessaries of life, and on his descent into the plain of
Thessaly he sent to find out whether the transports had reached Leucas or
the Ambracian Gulf, and then despatched bodies of troops one after another
in turn to Ambracia to procure corn. Though the route from Gomphi to
Ambracia is a difficult and awkward one, it is very short, and in a few days
the camp was replenished with stores of all kinds which had been brought up
from the coast. His next objective was Atrax. This city lies on the Peneus
about ten miles from Larissa and was founded by emigrants from Perrhaebia.
The Thessalians felt no alarm at the appearance of the Romans, and Philip
himself did not venture to advance into Thessaly but remained encamped in
Tempe, so that he could send help as occasion required to any place
attempted by the Romans.
