42.67
This
day revived the spirits of the Romans and depressed Perseus, so much so
that after staying a few days longer at Mopselus, mainly to see to the burial
of the men he had lost, he placed a sufficiently strong garrison in Gonnus and
withdrew his troops into Macedonia. One of the royal governors, Timotheus,
was left with a small force at Phila with instructions to try and win over the
Magnetes whilst he was in their neighbourhood. On reaching Pella, Perseus
sent his army into winter quarters and then went with Cotys to Thessalonica.
News reached him there that Autlebis, a Thracian chief, and Corragus, an
officer of Eumenes, had invaded the dominions of Cotys and occupied a
district called Marene. He felt that he ought to release Cotys and let him go
and defend his kingdom. On his departure he bestowed valuable presents on
him. To his cavalry he only doled out 200 talents, half a year's pay, though at
first he had agreed to give them a year's stipend.
When the consul heard that Perseus had gone he marched up to
Gonnus on the chance of getting possession of the town. This place lies at
the entrance to the Vale of Tempe, and forms a secure barrier against the
invasion of Macedonia from that side, while it affords a convenient descent
for the Macedonians into Thessaly. As the citadel, owing to its position and
the strength of its garrison, was impregnable, the consul abandoned the
attempt. Turning his route towards Perrhaebia he took Malloea at the first
assault and sacked the town. After securing Tripolis and the other places in
Perrhaebia he returned to Larisa. Eumenes and Attalus went home, and the
consul settled Misagenes and his Numidians in the nearest cities of Thessaly.
Part of his army he distributed amongst all the cities of Thessaly, that they
might have comfortable winter quarters and serve as garrisons for the cities.
Q. Mucius was sent with 2000 men to hold Ambracia, and the consul
disbanded all the troops from the friendly States of Greece, except the
Achaeans. Advancing with a part of his army into Achaean Phthiotis he
razed to its foundations the city of Pteleum, from which the inhabitants had
fled, and accepted the voluntary surrender of Antronae. Then he brought his
army up to Larisa. The city was empty; all the population had taken refuge in
the citadel, and he commenced an attack upon it. The king's garrison of
Macedonians had first left the place through fear, and the townsmen, thus
deserted, at once surrendered. He now hesitated whether to attack
Demetrias or examine the position in Boeotia. The Thebans, owing to the
trouble given them by the Coronaeans, were asking hum to come to their
assistance. In compliance with their request and also because it was more
suitable for winter quarters than Magnesia, he led his army into
Boeotia.
End of Book 42
