SECT. VI.

The Etolians labour to provoke Antiochus, Philip, and Nabis, to war upon the Romans, by whom they hold themselves wronged and disgraced. Nabis besiegeth Gyttheum, and wasteth some part of Achea. The exact skill of Philopamen, in advantage of ground, whereby he utterly vanquisheth Nabis. Antiochus being denied peace by the Romans, joins with the Etolians. The Etolians surprise Demetrias; and by killing Nabis their confederate, seize upon Sparta. But they are driven out by the citizens, who, at Philopamen's persuasions, annex themselves to the Achæans.

ALL Greece being at peace, and the Roman armies thence departed, it grieved much the Etolians to think, that they, who had promised unto themselves the whole spoil of Philip, and the highest reputation among the Greeks, were not only disappointed of their covetous hopes, but quite forsaken by their ancient dependants, and of all other the most unregarded. Yet was there made a great access to their estate, by adding much unto them of that which had been taken from the Macedonian, This might have well sufficed them, if their desires had not been immoderate, and their indignation more vehement than their desire. But they were. not so pleased with that which they had, since they thought it no more than part of their due; as they were vexed with the denial of that which they claimed, and with finding themselves to be wholly disesteemed, wherein they thought that they had unsufferable wrong. Wherefore they devised in a parliament, which they shortly held, by what means they might best right themselves, and give the Romans a

sorrowful knowledge of the difference between their enmity and friendship. To this purpose they soon agreed, as concurring all in one affection, that they would not only persuade Antiochus to make war upon the Romans, as one to whom the Romans had long refused peace, but that they would deal with the king of Macedon their ancient enemy, and with Nabis the tyrant of Lacedæmon, to join altogether in a new confederacy; whose joint forces could not in all likelihood but far surmount those of the Romans, Achæans, Rhodians, and king Eumenes, with all that were of their faction. This was a great enterprise which the Etolians took in hand; and wellbeseeming them, for they were great darers. They sent embassadors to all these kings, with persuasions, as they thought, most forcible. But Philip was irresolute; and Antiochus willing to try first all other courses. Nabis the Lacedæmonian, who neither (as Philip) had lost much, nor (as Antiochus) was in fear of any war, yet shewed himself of all other the most forward; and not staying so much as to seck any good pretence, began immediately to lay siege to Gyttheum, that had been lately taken from him by the Romans. The Achæans, to whose care, chiefly, Titus, at his departure, had commended the affairs of Peloponnesus, were not slow to admonish Nabis of his duty; neither would they have staid long from repressing his violence by open war, had not some of them thought it wisdom to ask counsel of the Romans, and particularly of T. Quintius, before they engaged themselves in a business of such importance. Whilst thus they spent time in sending embassadors, and were advised by Quintius to let all alone, and to wait for the coming of the Roman forces, that would shortly be amongst them, Nabis was bold to give them juster cause of complaint by wasting their own territory.

Philopoemen was then prætor of the Achæans, who had long been absent in Crete, making war

there for his mind's sake and recreation.

Unto him

the Achæans referred themselves, giving him leave to order the war at his pleasure; either staying until the Romans came, or doing otherwise, as he should think best. He made all haste to relieve Gyttheum by sea; fearing lest the town, and the Achæan garrison within it, should be lost, if he used any delay. But Philopomen was so bad a seaman, that he knew not a strong ship from a rotten. He made a quadrireme galley his admiral, that had fourscore years ago been counted a gallant vessel in the navy of Antigonus Gonatas. Neither was the rest of his fleet so good as might encounter with that of the Lacedæmonian. Only it fell out well that he committed himself to a light pinnace, or brigantine, that fought better with her wings, than with her talons. For his admiral galley was stemmed at the first; and being rotten with age, sprang so many leaks, and took in water so fast, that she was fain to yield without further resistance. When the rest of

the fleet saw what was become of their admiral, all were presently discouraged, and saved themselves with what speed they could. But Philopomen was not herewith daunted. If he had failed in sea-service, which was none of his occupation, he said, that he would make amends by land. The tyrant withdrew part of his army from the siege of Gyttheum, to stop the Achæans, if they should invade his country. But upon these, which were placed in guard of Laconia, Philopomen came unexpected, fired their camp, and put all, save a very few of them, to the sword. Then marched he with all his army towards Lacedæmon; within ten miles whereof he was, when the tyrant met him, that had already taken Gyttheum. It was not expected that Nabis would have been ready for them so soon: or if he should come from Gyttheum with any part of his forces, yet was it thought that he must overtake them, and charge them in rear. They marched,

therefore, almost securely, in a long troop reaching some five miles, having their horse, and the greatest part of their auxiliaries, at their backs, to bear off any sudden impression. But Nabis, who formerly understood, or at least suspected, what course they would take, appeared in front of them with all his army; encamped there where they meant to have lodged. It was the custom of Philopomen, when he walked or travelled abroad with his friends, to mark the situation of the country about him, and to discourse what might befal an army marching the same way He would suppose, That having with him there such a number of soldiers, ordered and sorted in such manner, and marching towards such a place, he were upon that ground encountered by a greater army, or better prepared to fight. Then would he put the question, whether it were fit for him to hold on his way, retire, or make a stand? what piece of ground it were meet for him to seize upon; and in what manner he might best do it? In what sort he should order his men? Where bestow his carriages; and under what guard? In what sort encamp himself? and which way march the day following? By such continual meditation, he was grown so perfect, that hẹ never met with any difficulty whence he could not extricate himself and his followers. At this time he made a stand; and having drawn up his rear, he encamped near unto the place where he was, within half a mile of the enemy. His baggage, with all thereto belonging, he bestowed on a rock, encompassing them round with his soldiers. The ground was rough, the ways bad, and the day almost quite spent, so as Nabis could not at the present greatly molest him. Both armies were to water at one brook, whereto the Achæans lay the nearer. This watering therefore was like to minister the first oc. casion of skirmish. Philopomen understood this, and laid an ambush in place convenient, whereinto the mercenaries of Nabis fell, and were slaughtered

in great numbers. Presently after this, he caused one of his own auxiliaries to go to the tyrant as a fugitive, and tell him, That the Achæans had a purpose to get between him and Lacedæmon, whereby they would both debar his return into the city, and withal encourage the people to take arms for the recovery of their freedom. The tyrant hearing this, marched hastily away, and left his camp, which hardly otherwise would have been forced. Some companies he made to stay behind, and shew themselves upon the rampart, thereby to conceal his departure. But Philopomen was not so to be beguiled. He easily won the camp, and gave chace to Nabis; whose followers being overtaken, had not courage to turn about and make head. The enemies being thus dispersed, and fled into woods, where they lay in covert all that day, Philopomen conceived aright, that their fear and necessity would teach them to creep homewards, and save themselves when it grew dark. Wherefore in the evening, when he had gathered together all those of his light armature, which had followed the chace whilst it was day; he led forth the rest that had well refreshed themselves, and occupied the two most ordinary passages unto Lacedæmon. So Nabis's men, when it was dark night, perceiving in Philopomen's camp great store of lights, thought that all had been at rest; and therefore adventured to make an escape home. But they were so way-laid, that hardly one quarter of them got into Sparta. Thirty days together after this did Philopoemen waste the country round about, whilst Nabis durst not issue forth of his town, and then returned home, leaving the tyrant in a manner without forces.

The Roman embassadors were then in Greece, and T. Quintius among them, labouring to make their party strong against Antiochus and Nabis, whom they knew to be solicited by the Etolians. Very fair countenance they also made unto Philip;