Death of Demetrius
After the death of Antigonus, however, the Achaeans
made terms with the Aetolians, and joined them energetically
in the war against Demetrius; and, in place of the feelings of
estrangement and hostility, there gradually grew up a sentiment
of brotherhood and affection between the two peoples. Upon
the death of Demetrius, after a reign of only ten years,
just about the time of the first invasion of
Illyricum by the Romans, the Achaeans had
a most excellent opportunity of establishing
the policy which they had all along maintained.
Demetrius. B. C. 239-229. |
For the
despots in the
Peloponnese were in despair at the death
of Demetrius. It was the loss to them of their chief supporter and paymaster. And now Aratus was for ever impressing upon them that they ought to abdicate, holding out
rewards and honours for those of them who consented, and
threatening those who refused with still greater vengeance
from the Achaeans. There was therefore a general movement
among them to voluntarily restore their several states to freedom and to join the league. I ought however to say that
Ludiades of
Megalopolis, in the lifetime of Demetrius, of
his own deliberate choice, and foreseeing with great shrewdness and good sense what was going to happen, had abdicated
his sovereignty and become a citizen of the national league.
His example was followed by Aristomachus, tyrant of
Argos,
Xeno of
Hermione, and Cleonymus of Phlius, who all likewise
abdicated and joined the democratic league.
