Page:Greece from the Coming of the Hellenes to AD. 14.djvu/323

Rh tection. Of the rest of Greece—the Achaean and the Aetolian Leagues, Athens, Sparta—there was no question in this particular award. But as to the districts which had been in possession of Philip and had now come into that of Rome, the future was uncertain, and therefore the crowd attending the games waited in breathless expectation for the herald's proclamation, made by order of Flamininus. It declared, in the name of the Senate and the Proconsul, “the following people free, in full enjoyment of the laws of their respective countries: Corinthians, Phocians, Locrians, Eubceans, Achaeans of Phthiotis, Magnesians, Thessalians, Perrhaebians.” The excitable people in their joy almost crushed Flamininus to death in trying to grasp his hands and cover him with garlands. But, after all, this proclamation only announced a general principle; the commissioners still had details to settle. Phocis and Locris were allowed to rejoin the Aetolian League, and certain towns in the Peloponnese the Achaean League. Thessaly was to consist of four confederations—one called Thessaly, the others Perrhaebians, Dolopes, and Magnesians. Finally, some rectifications of the western frontier of Macedonia were made in favour of certain Illyrian princes who had stood by Rome. The settlement was completed next year by a joint attack upon Nabis, tyrant of Sparta, in which Eumenes, the King of Pergamus, the Rhodians, and King Philip took part. The harbour town of Gytheium was taken, and Nabis was obliged to evacuate Argos, surrender his ships, restore exiles, abandon all claims to govern towns outside Laconia,