Titus Livius (Livy), Ab urbe condita, Benjamin Oliver Foster, Ph.D. (Editor), Frank Gardener Moore (Editor), Evan T. Sage, Ph.D. (Editor), Alfred C. Schlesinger, Ph.D. (Editor), 45.20

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[1]

This reasoning prevailed on the mind of Attalus. On being presented to the senate, therefore, he offered congratulations on the victory; he explained his services during this war, and those of his brother, such as they were, as well as the revolt of the Galatians ¹ which had recently taken place with great disturbance; he requested that the senate should send envoys to the Galatians, to induce them to lay aside their arms.

[2] Having delivered these messages in the interest of his state, he asked for Aenus and Maronea for himself. ²

[3] Thus, after disappointing the hopes of those who had supposed that ³ he would accuse his brother and seek a division of the kingdom, he left the senate-house. Seldom has anyone else, king or citizen, been heard with as much good will and as much general approval; Attalus was honoured with every mark of attention and gift while he was there, and on his departure he was attended with equal ceremony.

[4] Among the many embassies from Asia and Greece, the envoys of the Rhodians especially drew the city's attention.

[5] For they first appeared in white clothes, as was suitable for those offering congratulations —and had they worn soiled clothes, they might have offered the appearance of men mourning for the fall of Perseus.

[6] However, after the senate was consulted by Marcus Junius the consul, while the envoys stood in the assembly-ground, ⁴ whether lodgings, entertainment, and reception before the senate should be provided, and the Fathers had advised that none of the rights of hospitality should be granted in their case, the consul came forth from the senate-house, and in reply to

[7] the Rhodians, who said they had come to offer congratulations on the victory and to clear their city of the charges against it, and asked that a session of the senate be held for them, the consul announced that for allies and friends the Romans were accustomed to perform various acts of courtesy and hospitality, one of which was to grant a hearing before the

[8] senate, but the Rhodians during this war had not earned the right to be considered in the category of friends and allies. ⁵

[9] On hearing this, the Rhodians threw themselves on the ground and begged the consul and all who were present not to adopt the principle that new and false charges against the Rhodians should outweigh the good ⁶ services of long standing of which they themselves were witnesses.

[10] Forthwith the Rhodians put on mourning ⁷ and went the rounds of the houses of the chief men begging with tears and entreaties that they would hear the case before passing sentence.

Ab urbe condita. Titus Livius (Livy). Benjamin Oliver Foster, Ph.D. (Editor), Frank Gardener Moore (Editor), Evan T. Sage, Ph.D. (Editor), Alfred C. Schlesinger, Ph.D. (Editor). Medford, MA. .

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by The National Endowment for the Humanities.

Current edition Perseus

History of Rome (English) (Foster, Benjamin Oliver; Moore, Frank Gardener; Sage, Evan T.; Schlesinger, Alfred C., translators. Cambridge, Mass.; London: Harvard University Press; William Heinemann, Ltd., 1919-1959. (Loeb Classical Library))

Editions (3)

Ab urbe condita Perseus (Pars I-IV, Libri I-XL. Editio Stereotypica. Weissenborn, Wilhelm; Mueller, Moritz, editors. Leipzig: Teubner, 1884-1911.) — 45.20 focus

[1] haec plus valuere in Attali animo. itaque introductus in senatum gratulatus victoriam est; sua merita eo bello fratrisque, si qua erant, et Gallorum defectionem, quae nuper ingenti motu facta erat, exposuit;

[2] petit, ut legatos mitteret ad eos, quorum auctoritate ab armis avocarentur. his pro regni utilitate editis mandatis, Aenum sibi et Maroneam petit.

[3] ita destituta eorum spe, qui fratre accusato partitionem regni petiturum crediderant, curia excessit. ut raro alias quisquam rex aut privatus tanto favore tantoque omnium adsensu est auditus: omnibus honoribus muneribusque et praesens est cultus et proficiscentem prosecuti sunt.

[4] inter multas Asiae Graeciaeque legationes Rhodiorum maxime legati civitatem converterunt.

[5] nam cum primo in veste candida visi essent, quod et gratulantis decebat, et, si sordidam vestem habuissent, lugentium Persei casum praebere speciem poterant,

[6] postquam consulti ab M. Iunio consule patres stantibus in comitio legatis, an locum, lautia senatumque darent, nullum hospitale ius in iis esse servandum censuerunt,

[7] egressus e curia consul, cum Rhodii gratulatum se de victoria purgatumque civitatis crimina dicentes venisse petissent, ut senatus sibi daretur, pronuntiat sociis et amicis et alia comiter atque hospitaliter praestare Romanos et senatum dare consuesse:

[8] Rhodios non ita meritos eo bello, ut amicorum sociorumque numero habendi sint;

[9] his auditis prostraverunt se omnes humi consulemque et cunctos, qui aderant, orantes, ne nova falsaque crimina plus obesse Rhodiis aecum censerent quam antiqua merita, quorum ipsi testes essent.

[10] extemplo veste sordida sumpta domos principum cum precibus ac lacrimis circumibant orantes, ut prius cognoscerent causam quam condemnarent.

Ab urbe condita Perseus (Livy in Fourteen Volumes. Foster, Benjamin Oliver; Moore, Frank Gardener; Schlesinger, Alfred C., editors. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann, Ltd., 1919-1959 (printing).) — 45.20 focus

[1]

haec plus valuere in Attali animo. itaque introductus in senatum gratulatus victoriam est; sua merita eo bello fratrisque, si qua erant, et Gallorum defectionem, quae nuper ingenti motu facta erat, exposuit;

[2] petit ut legatos mitteret ad eos, quorum auctoritate ab armis avocarentur. his pro regni utilitate editis mandatis, Aenum sibi et Maroneam petit.

[3] ita destituta eorum spe, qui fratre accusato ¹ partitionem regni petiturum crediderant, curia ² excessit. raro³ alias quisquam rex aut privatus tanto favore tantoque omnium adsensu est auditus: omnibus honoribus muneribusque et ⁴ praesens est cultus et proficiscentem prosecuti sunt.

[4] inter multas Asiae Graeciaeque Graciaeque legationes Rhodiorum maxime legati civitatem converterunt.

[5] nam cum primo in veste candida visi essent, quod et gratulantis decebat, et, si sordidam vestem habuissent, lugentium Persei casum praebere speciem poterant,

[6] postquam consulti ab M. Iunio consule patres stantibus in comitio legatis, an locum, lautia ⁵ senatumque darent, nullum hospitale ius in iis esse ⁶ servandum censuerunt,

[7] egressus e curia consul, cum Rhodii gratulatum se de victoria purgatumque civitatis crimina dicentes venisse petissent, ut senatus sibi daretur,

[8] pronuntiat sociis et amicis et alia comiter atque hospitaliter praestare Romanos et senatum dare consuesse: Rhodios non ita meritos eo bello, ut amicorum sociorumque ⁷ numero habendi sint;

[9] his auditis prostraverunt se omnes humi consulemque et cunctos, qui aderant, orantes, ne nova falsaque crimina plus obesse Rhodiis aequum censerent quam ⁸ antiqua merita, quorum ipsi testes essent.

[10] extemplo veste sordida sumpta domos principum cum precibus ac lacrimis circumibant orantes, ut prius cognoscerent causam quam condemnarent. ⁹

Ab urbe condita libri, erklärt von M. Weissenborn Perseus (Weissenborn, W.; Müller, H. J., editors. Berlin: Weidmannsche Buchhandlung, 1873-1883.) — 45.20 focus

[1]

haec plus valuere in Attali animo. itaque introductus in senatum gratulatus victoriam est et sua merita eo bello fratrisque, si qua erant, et Gallorum defectionem, quae nuper ingenti motu facta erat, exposuit;

[2] petiit, ut legatos mitteret ad eos, quorum auctoritate ab armis avocarentur. his pro regni utilitate editis mandatis Aenum sibi et Maroneam petiit.

[3] ita destituta eorum spe, qui fratre accusato partitionem regni petiturum crediderant, curia excessit. [ut] raro alias quisquam rex aut privatus tanto favore tantoque omnium adsensu est auditus; omnibus honoribus muneribusque et praesens est cultus et proficiscentem prosecuti sunt. ¹

[4] inter multas Asiae Graeciaeque legationes Rhodiorum maxime legati civitatem converterunt.

[5] nam cum primo in veste candida visi essent, quod et gratulantis decebat, et, si sordidam vestem habuissent, lugentium Persei casum praebere speciem poterant,

[6] postquam consulti ab M. Iunio consule patres stantibus in comitio legatis, an locum, lautia senatumque darent, nullum hospitale ius in iis esse servandum censuerunt,

[7] egressusque e curia consul, cum Rhodii gratulatum se de victoria purgatum que civitatis crimina dicentes venisse petissent, ut senatus sibi daretur,

[8] pronuntia vit sociis et amicis et alia comiter atque hospitaliter ²praestare Romanos et senatum dare consuesse, Rhodios non ita meritos eo bello, ut amicorum sociorum que numero habendi sint,

[9] his auditis prostraverunt se omnes humi consulemque et cunctos, qui aderant, orantes, ne nova falsaque crimina plus obesse Rhodiis aecum censerent quam antiqua merita, quorum ipsi testes essent.

[10] extemplo veste sordida sumpta domos principum cum precibus ac lacrimis circumibant orantes, ut prius cognoscerent causam quam condemnarent.

Translations (2)

History of Rome Perseus (Spillan, D.; Edmonds, Cyrus; McDevitte, William A., translators. London: Henry G. Bohn, 1849-1868. (Bohn's Classical Library)) — 45.20 focus

[1]

These arguments prevailed in the mind of Attalus. Therefore, on being introduced to the senate, he congratulated them on their success, and made mention of his own services during the war, and those of his brother, whatever he had performed; of the defection of the Gauls, which had lately happened, and which had caused violent commotions;

[2] and he entreated that they should send ambassadors to those people, by whose authority they should be summoned to desist. After delivering these messages respecting the general interest of the state, he requested a grant of Aenus and Maronea to himself.

[3] Having thus disappointed the hopes of those who expected that he, after arraigning his brother's conduct, would solicit a partition of the kingdom, he retired from the senate-house. Seldom on other occasions was either a king or private person heard with such a degree of favour and approbation by all; during his stay he received presents and honours of every description, and they treated him similarly at his departure.

[4] Of the many embassies which came from Greece and Asia, that of the Rhodians engaged the greatest share of the public attention.

[5] At first they appeared in white, the colour which was most becoming to persons congratulating others, for had they worn mourning, they might seem to be la- menting the misfortunes of Perseus.

[6] Afterwards the senate, being consulted by the consul, Marcus Junius, (the ambassadors standing in the Comitium,) whether they should grant them lodgings, entertainments, and an audience of the senate, they voted that no duty of hospitality was due to them.

[7] When the consul came out of the senate-house, after the Rhodians had told him that they were come to congratulate the Romans on their late success, and to clear their state of the charges made against it, and requested an audience of the senate, he returned this answer, that

it was the custom of the Romans both to grant audience in their senate, and to perform other acts of kindness and hospitality to their friends and allies;

[8]

but that the Rhodians had not deserved in that war to be ranked in the number of friends or allies.

[9] On hearing this, they all prostrated themselves on the ground, beseeching the consul and all present not to think it right that new and false imputations should operate more powerfully to their prejudice, than their long course of services, which they had themselves witnessed.

[10] They immediately assumed a mourning dress, and going round to the houses of the principal men, supplicated with prayers and tears that their cause might be heard before they were condemned.

History of Rome Perseus (Volumes 1-2. Roberts, Canon, Rev, translator. London, New York: J. M. Dent and Sons; E. P. Dutton and Co., 1912.) — 45.20 focus

[1]

These arguments prevailed with Attalus. Accordingly, when introduced to the senate he offered his congratulations on the victory, and alluded to the services, such as they were, which he and his brothers had rendered.

[2] He then described the serious unrest among the Gauls which had brought about a revolt and begged the senate to send envoys to them with sufficient influence and authority to induce them to lay down their arms. Having carried out his instructions so far as they affected the welfare of the kingdom, he asked that Aenus and Maronea might be assigned to him.

[3] So, to the disappointment of those who supposed that after bringing charges against his brother he would ask for the kingdom to be divided between them, he left the senate-house. Seldom at any time has either king or private citizen been listened to with such universal pleasure and approval; all honours and gifts were showered upon him during his stay, and his departure was witnessed by large crowds.

[4] Amongst the numerous delegations from Greece the one from Rhodes excited the greatest interest.

[5] They appeared in white garments as befitted their mission of congratulation, and indeed if they had shown themselves in mourning it might have looked as though they were lamenting the fall of Perseus.

[6] When the consul, M. Junius, consulted the senate as to whether they would grant them free quarters and hospitality and an audience, the House decided that the obligations of hospitality should not be discharged in their case.

[7] The envoys meanwhile were standing in the Comitium, and when the consul came out of the senate-house they told him that they had come to offer their congratulations on the victory and to rebut the accusations of treason, and they begged that the senate would grant them an audience. The consul told them plainly that it was to friends and allies that the Romans were wont to give a hospitable welcome and grant an audience of the senate.

[8] The conduct of the Rhodians during the war had not been such that they deserved to be counted amongst the friends and allies of Rome.

[9] On hearing this, they all prostrated themselves to the ground and implored the consul and all who were present not to think it just and right that the new charges which were falsely made against them should outweigh their services in the past, services to which the Romans themselves could testify.

[10] They lost no time in putting on mourning garments and visiting the residences of the principal men, whom they implored not to condemn them without a hearing.

Notes on the current edition

Ab Urbe Condita With An English Translation, books 1-10, 21-45, with periochae 11-20

1. They were actually independent, but had been warned by Rome to keep the peace, according to XXXVIII. xl. 1; Polybius XXX. 3, also speaks of a

revolt

( aponoia ).

2. Polybius says this request was not granted, because Attalus had disappointed the Roman hope that he would break with his brother.

3. B.C. 167

4. Perhaps on the Graecostasis, an open platform, from which foreign envoys watched ceremonies; this was later located in the Forum.

5. Formally, the Rhodians were not allies, having preferred to retain complete independence of action, cf. below xxv. 9.

6. B.C. 167

7. Polybius XXX. 4. 5 says this occurred after the activity of Juventius mentioned just below.

Titus Livius (Livy) Ab urbe condita 45.20

Benjamin Oliver Foster, Ph.D. (Editor), Frank Gardener Moore (Editor), Evan T. Sage, Ph.D. (Editor), Alfred C. Schlesinger, Ph.D. (Editor)

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