Book fragments
30
If one ought to speak of Fortune in regard to such things; for I fear she often gets credit of that sort without good reason; while the real fault lies with the men who administer public business, who sometimes act with seriousness and sometimes the reverse.
31
But not making at all a good guess at the king’s mind, he acted in a most inconsiderate manner.
32
Want of civilisation appears to have an extraordinary influence on mankind in this direction.
33
But the general being unable to endure the unfairness of those who made these assertions. . .
34
But he determined to hold out to the last, trusting to the supplies from Egypt.
35
But having fallen in with him he gained an extremely fortunate victory.
36
In all these things the Aetolians had been deceived.
37
And some he honoured with gold cloths and spears, because he wished that his promises should agree with his performances.
38
He wrote in bitter and frantic terms, calling them fiends and murderers in his letter, if they abandoned the positions thus disgracefully, before they had suffered or witnessed any hardship.
39a
There is a courage in words too which can despise death.
39b
Before he had been rejoined by the stragglers of the skirmishing parties.
40
Being utterly at a loss, at last he rested his chance of escape from the difficulty which was upon him on some such hope as this.
41
None of the citizens being aware of what was taking place owing to the distance, for the city was a large one.
42
But trusting to them he undertook the war against Ariarathes.
43
Harpyia is a city in Illyria near Encheleae, to which Baton, charioteer of Amphiaraus, removed after the latter’s disappearance.
44
And he waited for the coming of Hasdrubal.
45
Hearing all this through the curtain the king laughed.
46
Foreseeing and fearing the fierce temper and obstinacy of the men.
47
At that time, persuaded that he was enduring a fiery test, he was released from the suspicion.
48
He thought therefore that it was dangerous to have shared in their enterprise when their plan had failed and come to an end.
