42.15
After
the deputations were dismissed, Harpalus returned to Macedonia as speedily
as possible and informed the king that he had left the Romans not indeed
actually preparing for war, but so embittered against him that any one might
see they would not long delay. Perseus himself believed that events would
take this turn and now he even wished that they would, as he believed
himself to be at the height of his power. Eumenes was the man he hated most
of all, and he determined to begin the war by shedding his blood. He
suborned Euander of Crete, a leader of mercenaries, and three Macedonians
who were accustomed to lend their services for crimes of this nature, and
gave them a letter for Praxo, a friend of his, the wealthiest and most
influential woman in Delphi. It was generally understood that Eumenes
would go up to Delphi to sacrifice to Apollo. The only thing the assassins
needed for executing their project was a suitable spot, and they and Euander
traversed the neighbourhood to find one.
On the ascent to the temple from Cirrha, before reaching the part
covered with buildings, the path, which is so narrow that passengers can
only go in single file, has a wall running close to it on the left hand, and on
the right a landslip has left an abrupt descent of some depth. Behind this wall
the conspirators concealed themselves and built steps up against it, so that
they might hurl missiles on the king as he passed under it. As he came up
from the sea he was surrounded by a crowd of friends and by his bodyguard,
but as the road became narrower, fewer could walk side by side. When they
reached the place where they had to go in single file, Pantaleon, one of the
Aetolian leaders, was in front, and the king was engaged in conversation
with him. At this moment the assassins appeared above the wall and rolled
down two huge stones, one of which hit the king on the head and the other
fell on his shoulder. Stunned by the blow he fell down the steep descent,
after many stones had been flung upon him as he lay. All the friends and
guards fled except Pantaleon, who fearlessly remained to protect the king.