The Peril of the Republic of the United States of America - Percy T. Magan

to them. Afterward, when Eumenes himself landed
in Italy on his way to Rome, with a view to
removing the suspicions entertained against him,
the senate, aware of his purpose, issued an order
that no king should be allowed to come to Rome;
and despatched one of the quæstors to announce it
to him at Brundusium, and to command him to
leave Italy immediately. The Rhodians had
offended by declaring openly ‘that they were tired
of the war with Perseus; that he, as well as the
Romans, was the friend of their commonwealth;
that they should wish to see the contending parties
reconciled; and that they would themselves declare
against those whose obstinacy should be an
impediment to peace.’ This declaration, which was
received at Rome most indignantly, had been
privately recommended by Q. Marcius, the Roman
consul, to one of the Rhodian ambassadors, who
had visited him in his camp in Macedonia, during
the preceding year; and Polybius reasonably
conjectures that Marcius, confident of a speedy
victory over Perseus, gave this advice to the
Rhodians, with the treacherous purpose of
furnishing the senate with a future pretense for
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