The General History of Polybius Volume 2 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1823 Excerpt: ...said he, since the time when you entered into treaty with the Etolians, you had either suffered any injury or insult from that people, or received any new kindness from the Macedonians, this matter would then perhaps have remained entire for your deliberation. But as nothing of that kind has happened, it is the very height of folly in us to believe, that, by alleging only those old benefits which you had before experienced from Antigonus, we can prevail upon you to violate oaths and treaties.' For my part, indeed, I am ready to confess, that, if nothing new had happened, and if the affairs of Greece had remained still in the condition in which they stood when you concluded your alliance with the iEtolians, there would be great weakness in the attempt; and all that I am prepared to say would be impertinent and vain. But if things are now in a different slate, as I shall shew in the progress of this discourse, you will then, I doubt not, be convinced, that I am able to point out to you your true interest, and that Chlaeneas is unacquainted with it. For the sole design and purpose of this embassy is to demonstrate to you, if it be possible, from a view of the dangers with which Greece is threatened, that the part most suitable and advantageous, the part most honourable and most worthy for you to take, is to join yourselves now with us in the same common hopes: or, if that cannot be obtained, at least to remain quiet during these disputes. But since those who oppose us have dared to load the house of Macedon with various accusations from the earliest time; I must also first look backwards, and endeavour to remove the false persuasion of those persons, who may have yielded an implicit credit to all that they have heard. "It was asserted then by Chlaeneas, t...