Philip's Response
When Alexander had concluded his speech, Philip came
note
somewhat nearer to the shore than he was
before, and, rising on board his ship, said that
"Alexander had composed and delivered a
speech in the true Aetolian and theatrical style. For every one
knew quite well that nobody willingly destroys his own allies,
but that, at times of special danger, military commanders are
compelled to do many things contrary to their natural feelings."
While the king was still speaking, Phaeneas, who was very
short-sighted, interrupted him by saying, "You are trifling with
us; you must either fight and conquer, or obey the commands
of the stronger." Philip, in spite of the unfortunate position of
his affairs, could not refrain from his habitual humour:
turning towards Phaeneas he said, "Even a blind man could
see that." Such a knack had he of cutting repartee. Then he
turned to Alexander again and said, "You ask me, Alexander,
why I took possession of Lysimacheia. I reply, in order that it
might not by your neglect be devastated by Thracians, as it has
now actually been; because I was compelled by this war to remove my soldiers, who indeed were no hostile garrison, as you
say, but were there for its protection. As for the Ciani, I did
not go to war with them, but only assisted Prusias to take them
who was at war with them. And of this you yourselves were the
cause. For though I sent envoy after envoy to you desiring
that you would repeal the law which allows you the privilege of
taking 'spoil from spoil,' you replied that rather than abolish
this law you would remove Aetolia from Aetolia."
