Panic at Selge
Garsyeris immediately started in pursuit of the
fugitives, being in haste to get over the narrow pass, and
approach Selge, before they could make a stand, and form any
-- 426 --
plan for meeting his approach. Thus he came to Selge with
his army. note But the inhabitants, having no longer
any hopes in their allies, after the disaster which
had affected them all alike, and themselves dispirited at the
misfortune which had befallen them, became exceedingly
anxious for the safety of themselves and their country. They
accordingly determined in public assembly to send one of their
citizens on an embassy to Gassyeris; and selected for the
purpose Logbasis, who had been for a long time on terms of
intimacy and friendship with the Antiochus that lost his life
in Thrace. note
Laodice, note also, who became afterwards the wife of
Achaeus, having been committed to his care, he had brought
this young lady up as his daughter, and had treated her with
conspicuous kindness. note The Selgians therefore
thought that his character made him eminently
fitted for an ambassador in the circumstances, and
accordingly sent him on the mission. He, however, obtained a
private interview with Garsyeris, and was so far from carrying
out the purpose for which he came, by properly supporting the
interests of his country, that on the contrary he strongly urged
Garsyeris to send with all speed for Achaeus, and undertook
to put the city into their hands. Garsyeris, of course, grasped
eagerly at the chance offered to him and sent messengers to induce Achaeus to come, and to inform him of the position of
affairs. Meanwhile he concluded an armistice with the Selgians,
and protracted the negotiations for a treaty by continually bringing forward objections and scruples on points of detail, in order
to give time for the arrival of Achaeus, and for Logbasis to
conduct his negotiations and mature his plot.
