Titus Livius (Livy), The History of Rome, Book 44
Alfred C. Schlesinger, Ph.D., Ed.

15. Claudius has it that the senate returned no answer, but only had read its decree that the Roman people gave the Carians and Lycians their freedom¹ and that despatches should be immediately sent to both peoples, on hearing which the [2??] chief of the [p. 139]Rhodian embassy, for whose proud language the² senate-house had but a moment before seemed too small, now suffered deflation. [3] Other historians record the following answer:

“At the outset of this war the Roman people were informed by no trifling sources that the Rhodians had entered upon secret plots with King Perseus against the Roman state,³ but even had this been doubtful before, the words of the embassy just uttered have made the matter certain. [4] Frequently treachery unmasks itself, even if it is more wary at first. And now the Rhodians pass judgment throughout the world as to peace and war! [5] At the beck and call of the Rhodians will the Romans take up and lay down their arms! Now we are no longer to call upon the gods to witness treaties, but rather the Rhodians! [6] Unless obedience is rendered them, and our armies are removed from Macedonia, the Rhodians will see, will they, what they must do? [7] What the Rhodians will see, they themselves know. But surely the Roman people, after their conquest of Perseus, which they hope will take place any day, will see that they repay a suitable reward for the actions of each state during the war.” [8] Nevertheless, a present of two thousand sesterces apiece was sent to the envoys, which they refused.