The Decision of the Senate
This speech of the Rhodians was universally regarded
Treaty with Antiochus confirmed. |
as temperate and fair. The Senate next
caused Antipater and Zeuxis, the ambassadors of Antiochus, to be introduced: and
on their speaking in a tone of entreaty and supplication,
an approval of the agreement made by him with Scipio in
Asia was voted. A few days later the people also ratified it,
and oaths were accordingly interchanged with Antipater and
his colleague. This done, the other ambassadors from Asia
were introduced into the Senate: but a very brief hearing was
given to each, and the same answer was returned to all; namely,
that ten commissioners would be sent to decide on all points
of dispute between the cities.
Settlement of Asia, B. C. 189. |
The Senate
then appointed ten commissioners, to whom
they gave the entire settlement of particulars;
while as a general principle they decided that of Asia
this side Taurus such inhabitants as had been subject to
Antiochus were to be assigned to Eumenes, except Lycia and
Caria up to the Maeander, which were to belong to the
Rhodians; while of the Greek cities, such of them as had
been accustomed to pay tribute to Attalus were to pay the
same to Eumenes; and only those who had done so to
Antiochus were to be relieved of tribute altogether. Having
given the ten commissioners these outlines of the general
settlement, they sent them out to join the consul, Cnaeus
Manlius Vulso, in Asia.
After these arrangements had been completed, the Rhodian
envoys came to the Senate again with a request
in regard to Soli in Cilicia, alleging that they
were called upon by ties of kindred to think of the interests
of that city; for the people of Soli were, like the Rhodians,
colonists from Argos. Having listened to what they had to
say, the Senate invited the attendance of the ambassadors
from Antiochus, and at first were inclined to order Antiochus
to evacuate the whole of Cilicia; but upon these ambassadors
resisting this order, on the ground of its being contrary to the
treaty, they once more discussed the case of Soli by itself.
The king's ambassadors still vehemently maintaining their
rights, the Senate dismissed them and called in the Rhodians.
Having informed them of the opposition raised by Antipater,
they added that they were ready to go any length in the
matter, if the Rhodians, on a review of the whole case, determined to push their claim. The Rhodian envoys, however,
were much gratified by the spirit shown by the Senate, and
said that they would ask nothing more.
This question, therefore, was left as it was; and just as the ten commissioners
and the other ambassadors were on the point of starting, the
two Scipios, and Lucius Aemilius, the victor
in the sea fight with Antiochus, arrived at
Brundisium; and after certain days all three entered Rome in
triumph.
Amynandrus was restored to the kingdom of Athamania,
which was occupied by a garrison of Philip's, by the aid of the
Aetolians, who then proceeded to invade Amphilochia and the
Dolopes. Hence the Aetolian war, beginning with the siege of
Ambracia by M. Fulvius Nobilior. Livy, 38, 1-11.