36.32
After
Antiochus' flight from Thermopylae and the expulsion of Amynander from
Athamania at the hands of Philip, Hierocles entered into negotiations with
Diophanes and sold the island to the Achaeans. The Romans considered it
their lawful prize of war; it was not for the benefit of Diophanes and the
Achaeans that the legions of Rome fought at Thermopylae. In his reply
Diophanes sought to exculpate himself and his nation and brought forward
arguments to justify their action. Some of those present protested that they
had from the beginning discountenanced that action, and they now
remonstrated against the pertinacious attitude of their chief magistrate. They
succeeded in getting a decree made referring the whole question to Quinctius
for him to deal with. To those who opposed him Quinctius was stern and
uncompromising, but if you gave way he was just as placable. Laying aside
every trace of anger in look and voice, he said: "If I thought that the
possession of that island would be an advantage to the Achaeans I should
advise the senate and people of Rome to allow you to keep it. When,
however, I look at a tortoise which has completely shrunk into its shell I see
that it is safe against every blow, but when it puts forth any portion of its
body, the part put forth is exposed and defenceless. Just so with you,
Achaeans. As long as you are shut in on all sides by the sea, you have no
difficulty in incorporating in your league and protecting all the States within
the frontiers of the Peloponnese, but if through a passion for aggrandisement
you go beyond those frontiers all that you possess outside is defenceless and
lies at the mercy of every assailant." With the unanimous assent of the
council -not even Diophanes venturing to raise any opposition -Zacynthus
was ceded to the Romans.