That, if they acted in a suppliant manner, he would himself be a solicitor in their favour, both with the consul and with the senate at Rome; for thither also they must send ambassadors.”  This appeared to all the only way to safety:  “to submit themselves entirely to the faith of the Romans.  For, in that case, the latter would be ashamed to do injury to suppliants; while themselves would, nevertheless, retain the power of consulting their own interest, should fortune offer any thing more advantageous.”

28.  When they came into the consul’s presence, Phaeneas, who was at the head of the embassy, made a long speech, designed to mitigate the wrath of the conqueror by various considerations; and he concluded with saying, that “the Aetolians surrendered themselves, and all belonging to them, to the faith of the Roman people.”  The consul, on hearing this, said, “Aetolians, consider well whether you will yield on these terms:”  and then Phaeneas produced the decree, in which the conditions were expressly mentioned.  “Since then,” said the consul, “you submit in this manner, I demand that, without delay, you deliver up to me Dicaearchus your countryman, Menetas the Epirot,” who had, with an armed force, entered Naupactum, and compelled the inhabitants to defection; “and also Amynander, with the Athamanian chiefs, by whose advice you revolted from us.”  Phaeneas, almost interrupting the Roman while he was speaking, answered,—­“We surrendered ourselves, not into slavery, but to your faith; and I take it for granted, that, from not being sufficiently acquainted with us, you fall into the mistake of commanding what is inconsistent with the practice of the Greeks.”  “Nor in truth,” replied the consul, “do I much concern myself, at present, what the Aetolians may think conformable to the practice of the Greeks; while I, conformably to the practice of the Romans, exercise authority over men, who just now surrendered themselves by a decree of their own, and were, before that, conquered by my arms.  Wherefore, unless my commands are quickly complied with, I order that you be put in chains.”  At the same time he ordered chains to be brought forth, and the lictors to surround the ambassadors.  This effectually subdued the arrogance of Phaeneas and the other Aetolians; and, at length, they became sensible of their situation.  Phaeneas then said, that “as to himself and his countrymen there present, they knew that his commands must be obeyed:  but it was necessary that a council of the Aetolians should meet, to pass decrees accordingly; and that, for that purpose, he requested a suspension of arms for ten days.”  At the intercession of Flaccus on behalf of the Aetolians, this was granted, and they returned to Hypata.  When Phaeneas related here, in the select council, called Apocleti, the orders which they had received, and the treatment which they had narrowly escaped; although the chiefs bemoaned their condition, nevertheless they were of opinion, that the conqueror must be obeyed, and that the Aetolians should be summoned, from all their towns, to a general assembly.