27.
The consul Sulpicius1 was at that time encamped along the Apsus river between Apollonia and Dyrrachium, and summoning to him there his lieutenant Lucius Apustius he sent him with part of the troops to ravage the enemy's country.
[2]
Apustius, having plundered the frontiers of Macedonia and having captured at the first assault the towns of [p. 81]Corrhagum, Gerronius and Orgessum, arrived at2 Antipatrea, a city situated in a narrow pass.
[3]
There he first summoned the leading men to a conference and tried to induce them to put themselves under Roman protection; then, when they scorned his suggestions, relying on the size and walls and site of the city, he stormed and captured it by force of
[4]
arms and killing all the men of military age and giving the booty to the soldiers he tore down the walls and burned the city.
[5]
Fear of a similar fate caused Codrio, a strong and well-fortified town, to be surrendered to the Romans without resistance.
[6]
Leaving a garrison there, he took by storm Cnidus —a name better known than the town because of the other Cnidus in Asia. As the lieutenant was returning to the consul with a satisfactory amount of booty, Athenagoras, one of the king's prefects, attacked his rear while it was crossing a river and caused some confusion to his rearguard.
[7]
The lieutenant, hastily riding back when he heard their shouts and uproar, faced the troops about and formed line of battle, placing the baggage in the centre, whereupon the king's soldiers did not withstand the Romans' charge. Many of them were killed and more captured.
[8]
The lieutenant returned to the consul with his army intact and thence was at once sent back to the fleet.
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