1. Diodorus Siculus, Historical Library, 31.2 (1st cent. BCE - 1st cent. BCE) Tagged with subjects: •sixth syrian war, day of eleusis Found in books: Renberg (2017) 438 | 31.2. 1. As the Romans approached, Antiochus, after greeting them verbally from a distance, stretched out his hand in welcome. Popillius, however, who had in readiness the document in which the senate's decree was recorded, held it out and ordered Antiochus to read it. His purpose in acting thus, it was thought, was that he might avoid clasping the king's hand in friendship until it was evident from his decision whether he was, in fact, friend or foe. When the king, after reading the document, said that he would consult with his friends on these matters, Popillius, hearing this, acted in a manner that seemed offensive and arrogant in the extreme. Having a vinestock ready at hand, with the stick he drew a line about Antiochus, and directed him to give his answer in that circle.,2. The king, astonished by what had taken place, and awed, too, by the majesty and might of Rome, found himself in a hopeless quandary, and on full consideration said that he would do all that the Romans proposed. Popillius and his colleagues then took his hand and greeted him cordially. Now the purport of the letter was that he must break off at once his war against Ptolemy. Pursuant to these instructions the king withdrew his forces from Egypt, panic-stricken by the superior might of Rome, the more so as he had just had news of the Macedonian collapse. Indeed, had he not known that this had taken place, never of his own free will would he have heeded the decree. |
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2. Livy, History, 45.12.1-45.12.6 (1st cent. BCE - missingth cent. CE) Tagged with subjects: •sixth syrian war, day of eleusis Found in books: Renberg (2017) 438| 45.12.1. postquam dies data indutiis praeteriit, navigantibus ostio Nili ad Pelusium praefectis ipse per deserta Arabiae est profectus receptusque et ab iis, qui ad Memphim incolebant, 45.12.2. et ab ceteris Aegyptiis, partim voluntate partim metu, ad Alexandream modicis itineribus descendit. 45.12.3. ad Eleusinem transgresso flumen, qui locus quattuor milia ab Alexandrea abest, legati Romani occurrerunt. 45.12.4. quos cum advenientis salutasset dextramque Popilio porrigeret, tabellas ei Popilius senatus consultum scriptum habentis tradit atque omnium primum id legere iubet. 45.12.5. quibus perlectis cum se consideraturum adhibitis amicis, quid faciendum sibi esset dixisset, Popilius pro cetera asperitate animi virga, quam in manu gerebat, circumscripsit regem ac “priusquam hoc circulo excedas” inquit “redde responsum, senatui quod referam.” obstupefactus tam violento imperio parumper cum haesitasset, 45.12.6. “faciam” inquit “quod censet senatus.” tum demum Popilius dextram regi tamquam socio atque amico porrexit. | |
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