Congress at Tempe Begins
Titus then having appointed Philip a day for the congress, immediately wrote to the allies announcing when they were to appear; and a few days
The congress of Tempe, B. C. 197. |
afterwards came himself to the pass of Tempe at the appointed
time. When the allies had assembled, and the congress met,
the Roman imperator rose and bade each say on what terms
they ought to make peace with Philip.
Speech of King Amynandros. |
King Amynandros
then delivered a short and moderate speech,
merely asking that "they would all have some
consideration for him, to prevent Philip, as soon
as the Romans left Greece, from turning the whole weight of his
anger upon him; for the Athamanes were always an easy prey
to the Macedonians, because of their weakness and the close
contiguity of their territory."
When he had finished, Alexander the Aetolian rose and complimented Flamininus for "having assembled the allies in that
congress to discuss the terms of peace; and,
above all, for having on the present occasion called on each
to express his opinion. But he was deluded and mistaken,"
he added, "if he believed that by making terms with Philip
he would secure the Romans peace or the Greeks freedom. For
neither of these was possible. But if he desired to accomplish both the design of his own government and his own
promises, which he had given to all the Greeks, there was one
way, and one only, of making terms with Macedonia, and that
was to eject Philip from his throne; and this could easily be
done if he did not let slip the present opportunity."
After some further arguments in support of this view he sat down.