Isthmiorum statum ludicrum aderat, semper quidem et alias frequens cum propter spectaculi studium insitum genti, quo certamina omnis generis artium viriumque et pernicitatis visuntur, tum quia propter opportunitatem loci, per duo diversa maria {5} omnium rerum usus ministrantis humano generi, concilium Asiae Graeciaeque is mercatus erat; tum vero non ad solitos modo usus undique convenerant, sed exspectatione erecti, qui deinde status futurus Graeciae, quae sua fortuna esset. Ad spectaculum {10} consederant, et praeco cum tubicine, ut mos est, in mediam aream, unde sollemni carmine ludicrum indici solet, processit et, tuba silentio facto, ita pronuntiat: ‘Senatus Romanus et T. Quinctius imperator, Philippo rege Macedonibusque devictis, {15} liberos, immunes, suis legibus esse iubet Corinthios, Phocenses, Locrensesque omnes et insulam Euboeam et Magnetas, Thessalos, Perrhaebos, Achaeos Phthiotas.’ ... Esse aliquam in terris gentem, quae sua impensa, suo labore ac periculo bella gerat pro {20} libertate aliorum. Una voce praeconis liberatas omnes Graeciae atque Asiae urbes; hoc spe concipere audacis animi fuisse, ad effectum adducere et virtutis et fortunae ingentis. LIVY, xxxiii. 32, 33 (sel.) [Linenotes: 1. +Isthmiorum statum ludicrum+ = _time fixed_ (+statum+) _for the Isthmian Games_ (celebrated at Corinth every two years). 3-4. +quo certamina ... visuntur+ = _which makes them go to see contests of every kind of artistic performance_ (+artium+) _and of feats of strength and agility_. --Rawlins. 7. +concilium is mercatus erat ...+ = _that gathering was the general rendezvous_ (+mercatus+) _of_ ... +mercatus+ = i. _trade_, or _mart_; ii. _a festival assemblage_ (πανήγυρις). 11. +in mediam aream+ = _into the centre of the open space (of the stadium)_. 17. +Locrensesque omnes+, i.e. E. & W. Locris. 18. +Perrhaebos+, N. of Thessaly. +Achaeos Phthiotas+ = the Achaeans who inhabited Phthiotis (S.E. of Thessaly). 19-24. +Esse aliquam ... ingentis:+ in these words the Greeks express their astonishment and gratitude at the greatness of the boon conferred upon them.] +The Freedom of Greece.+ ‘The Greeks believed with a childlike simplicity that the Romans really cared for their freedom, and that they had crossed the sea with no other object than to deliver Greece from a foreign yoke. . . . Flamininus was a skilful diplomatist, and particularly qualified to sift and settle the affairs of Greece; for he understood the Greek character, and was not inaccessible, like so many other Romans, to Greek views and opinions.’ --Ihne. C42 WAR WITH ANTIOCHUS OF SYRIA, 191-190 B.C. A. _Battle of Thermopylae, 191 B.C. Victory due to Cato._