Dorimachus Consents To Depart
The men of military age having assembled in arms at
note
Megalopolis, in accordance with the decree of
the federal assembly, the Messenian envoys once
more came forward, and entreated the people not
to disregard the flagrant breach of treaty from which they were
suffering; and expressed their willingness to become allies of
the league, and their anxiety to be enrolled among its members.
The Achaean magistrates declined the offered alliance, on the
ground that it was impossible to admit a new member without the
concurrence of Philip and the other allies,—for the sworn alliance
-- 285 -- negotiated by Antigonus during the Cleomenic war was
still in force, and included Achaia, Epirus, Phocis, Macedonia,
Boeotia, Acarnania, and Thessaly;—but they said that they
would march out to their relief, if the envoys there present
would place their sons in Sparta, as hostages for their promise
not to make terms with the Aetolians without the consent of
the Achaeans. The Spartans among the rest were encamped
on the frontier of Megalopolis, having marched out in accordance with the terms of their alliance; but they were acting
rather as reserves and spectators than as active allies. note Having
thus settled the terms of the arrangement with
the Messenians, Aratus sent a messenger to the
Aetolians to inform them of the decree of the
Achaean federation, and to order them to quit
the territory of Messenia without entering that
of Achaia, on pain of being treated as enemies if they set foot
in it. When they heard the message and knew that the
Achaeans were mustered in force, Scopas and Dorimachus
thought it best for the present to obey. note They
therefore at once sent despatches to Cyllene and
to the Aetolian Strategus, Ariston, begging that
the transports should be sent to a place on the coast of Elis called
the island of Pheia; note and they themselves two days later
struck camp, and laden with booty marched towards Elis.
For the Aetolians always maintained a friendship with the
Eleans that they might have through them an entrance for
their plundering and piratical expeditions into the Peloponnese.
