40.58
At the
outset the Bastarnae marched in peaceable and orderly fashion. But after
Cotto and Antigonus had left them and the news of Philip's death arrived a
few days later, the Thracians began to make difficulties about providing a
market. Unable to buy what they needed, the Bastarnae could not be kept in
their ranks nor prevented from straggling. This led to acts of violence on
both sides, and as these became daily more aggressive, war broke out. In the
end the Thracians, finding themselves unable to withstand the numbers and
the fierceness of their assailants, left their villages in the plains and retired to
a mountain of immense height called Donuca. While the Bastarnae were
preparing to follow them, a storm similar to that which is said to have
destroyed the Gauls while plundering Delphi burst upon them as they were
nearing the summit. They were overwhelmed by a deluge of rain, followed
by a heavy hailstorm accompanied with the crashing of thunder peals and
blinding flashes of lightning. The lightning played everywhere round them; it
seemed as though it were aimed at the men; not only the common soldiers
but their chiefs were struck down. As they floundered and fell in blind
headlong flight amongst the beetling cliffs, they were closely pursued by the
Thracians; but they said to themselves that the gods were causing their flight
and the heavens were falling on them. Scattered by the storm like
shipwrecked sailors, they at last reached their camp, most having lost their
arms, and then began to deliberate as to what they were to do. Opinions
were divided; some were for returning home, others wanted to invade
Dardania. About 30,000 men, led by Clondicus, succeeded in reaching
Dardania; the rest of the host retraced their steps and made their way into
the inland district of Apollonia. After gaining possession of the crown,
Perseus ordered Antigonus to be put to death. Whilst he was strengthening
himself on the throne, he sent an embassy to Rome to renew the friendship
which had existed in his father's time and to request the senate to recognise
him as king. These were the events of the year in Macedonia.
