Sparta and the League
AFTER the execution of the men at Compasium,
1 some of
the, Lacedaemonians, incensed at what had been done, and
believing that the power and authority of the Romans had
been set at naught by Philopoemen, went to
Rome and accused Philopoemen and his proceedings; and finally obtained a letter addressed
to the Achaeans from Marcus Lepidus, the
consul of the year, and afterwards Pontifex
Maximus, in which he told the Achaeans that
they had not acted equitably in the matters of the Lacedaemonians.
An appeal to Rome against Philopoemen. B. C. 187. Coss. M. Aemilius Lepidus, C. Flamininus, |
At the same time as this mission from Sparta,
Philopoemen also appointed Nicodemus of Elis and others to
go on an embassy to Rome.
Just at that time Demetrius of Athens came on a mission
Renewal of the treaty between the Achaean league and Ptolemy. |
from Ptolemy, to renew the existing alliance
between the king and the Achaean league.
This was eagerly accepted, and my father,
Lycortas, and Theodoridas, and Rositeles of
Sicyon were appointed ambassadors to take the
oaths on behalf of the Achaeans, and receive those of the
king.
The accomplishments of Ptolemy Epiphanes. |
And on that occasion a circumstance
occurred, which, though not important perhaps,
is still worth recording. After the completion
of this renewal of alliance on behalf of the Achaeans, Philopoemen entertained the ambassador; and in the course of the
banquet the ambassador introduced the king's name, and said
a great deal in his praise, quoting anecdotes of his skill and
boldness in hunting, as well as his excellence in riding and the
use of arms; and ended by quoting, as a proof of what he said,
that the king on horseback once transfixed a bull with a
javelin. . . .
