44.32
After
the capture of Scodra the first thing Anicius did was to order the two
envoys, Petilius and Perpenna, to be found and brought to him. They were
provided with the clothing and insignia of their rank, and Perpenna was at
once sent to arrest the friends and kinsfolk of the king. He went to Metione
and brought back to the camp at Scodra Etleva, the king's wife, and his two
sons, Scerdilaedus and Pleuratus, and also Caravantius his brother. Anicius
had brought the war in Illyria to a close in less than a month, and Perpenna
was sent to Rome to announce his victory. A few days later he sent Gentius
to Rome, together with his mother, his wife, his children and his brother, and
also some of the principal men of Illyria. This is the only war the close of
which was reported in Rome before they had heard that it had begun. All
through this time, Perseus on his side was in a state of great alarm by the
advance of the consul Aemilius who, he understood, was on the march in a
most dangerous mood, and no less so by the forward movement of Octavius
with the Roman fleet menacing the coast. Eumenes and Athenagoras were in
command of Thessalonica with a small force of 2000 cetrati. He sent
Androcles there also with orders to remain encamped close to the naval
arsenal; 1000 cavalry under Creon of Antigonea were sent to Aenea to guard
the coast, so that at whatever point they heard the hostile ships were
threatening, they might at once go to the help of the country folk; 5000
Macedonians were sent to garrison Pytho and Petra under the command of
Histieaus, Theogenes and Midon. After they had left, Perseus set himself to
fortify the bank of the Elpeus, because, as the river-bed was now dry, it
could easily be crossed. To allow of the whole army being free for this work,
supplies of food were brought into the camp by women from the
neighbouring cities. Out of the woods near the soldiers were ordered . . .
