End of the Aetolian War
So the consul agreed to grant the Aetolians peace on
condition of receiving two hundred Euboic talents down, and
three hundred in six yearly instalments of fifty: of the
restoration to the Romans of all prisoners and
deserters within six months without ransom:
of their retaining no city in their league, nor
thenceforth admitting any fresh one, of such as had been
captured by the Romans, or had voluntarily embraced their
friendship since Titus Quinctius crossed into Greece: the
Cephallenians not to be included in these terms.
Terms granted to the Aetolians. |
Such was the sketch in outline of the main points of the treaty.
The Aetolian people confirm the treaty. |
But it required first the consent of the Aetolians,
and then to be referred to Rome: and meanwhile
the Athenian and Rhodian envoys remained
where they were, waiting for the decision of the Aetolians. On
being informed by Damoteles and his colleagues on their
return of the nature of the terms that had been granted them,
the Aetolians consented to the general principle—for they
were in fact much better than they had expected,—but in regard
to the towns formerly included in their league they hesitated for
some time; finally, however, they acquiesced. Marcus Fulvius
accordingly took over Ambracia, and allowed the Aetolian
garrison to depart under terms; but removed from the town
the statues and pictures, of which there was a great number,
owing to the fact of Ambracia having been a royal residence
of Pyrrhus. He was also presented with a crown
1 weighing
one hundred and fifty talents. After this settlement of affairs
he directed his march into the interior of Aetolia, feeling
surprised at meeting with no communication from the Aetolians.
But on arriving at Amphilochian Argos, a hundred and eighty
stades from Ambracia, he pitched his camp; and being there
met by Damoteles and his colleagues with the information
that the Aetolians had resolved to ratify the treaty which they
had concluded, they went their several ways, the Aetolians back
to their own country, and Marcus to Ambracia, where he
busied himself about getting his army across to Cephallenia;
while the Aetolians appointed Phaeneas and Nicander ambassadors to go to Rome about the peace: for not a single line of
the above treaty held good until ratified by the Roman people.
