§33.32.1Isthmiorum statum ludicrum aderat, semper quidem et alias frequens cum propter spectaculi studium insitum genti, quo certamina omnis generis artium viriumque et pernicitatis visuntur, §33.32.2tum quia propter opportunitatem loci, per duo diversa maria omnium rerum usus ministrantis humano generi, concilium Asiae Graeciaeque is mercatus erat; §33.32.3tum vero non ad solitos modo usus undique convenerant, sed expectatione erecti, qui deinde status futurus Graeciae, quae sua fortuna esset; alii alia non taciti solum opinabantur sed sermonibus etiam ferebant Romanos facturos; vix cuiquam persuadebatur Graecia omni cessuros.
The stated festival of the Isthmian games was at hand, which was always indeed on other occasions well attended, both because of the innate passion of the nation for spectacles, in which contests of every kind of skill, strength, and swiftness are viewed, and also because, owing to the convenience of the place, which through two different seas supplies the human race with the use of all things, that market was a gathering-place of Asia and Greece; but on this occasion they had assembled from all sides not only for their accustomed purposes, but erect with expectation as to what thereafter would be the state of Greece, and what their own fortune would be; some imagined one thing, others another, not only in silence but also declaring in their conversations what the Romans would do; scarcely anyone was persuaded that they would withdraw from all Greece.
§33.32.4ad spectaculum consederant, et praeco cum tubicine, ut mos est, in mediam aream, unde sollemni carmine ludicrum indici solet, processit et tuba silentio facto ita pronuntiat:
They had taken their seats for the spectacle, and the herald, with a trumpeter, as is the custom, advanced into the middle of the arena, whence the games are accustomed to be announced with a solemn formula, and after silence had been made by the trumpet, he pronounced as follows: “The Roman Senate and T.
§33.32.5“senatus Romanus et T. Quinctius imperator Philippo rege Macedonibusque devictis liberos, inmunes, suis legibus esse iubet Corinthios, Phocenses, Locrensesque omnis et insulam Euboeam et Magnetas, Thessalos, Perrhaebos, Achaeos Phthiotas. ” §33.32.6percensuerat omnis gentis, quae sub dicione Philippi regis fuerant.
Quinctius, imperator, having defeated King Philip and the Macedonians, order that the Corinthians, the Phocians, and all the Locrians, and the island of Euboea, and the Magnetes, Thessalians, Perrhaebians, and Achaeans of Phthiotis, shall be free, exempt from tribute, and governed by their own laws.” He had enumerated all the nations which had been under the sway of King Philip.
audita voce praeconis maius gaudium fuit, quam quod universum homines acciperent.
When the voice of the herald was heard, the joy was greater than what men could comprehend as a whole.
§33.32.7vix satis credere se quisque audisse, et alii alios intueri mirabundi velut ad somni vanam speciem; quod ad quemque pertinebat, suarum aurium fidei minimum credentes, proximos interrogabant.
Each one could scarcely believe that he had heard it, and they looked at one another in wonder, as if at the empty vision of a dream; concerning what related to each individual, trusting least of all to the evidence of their own ears, they questioned those next to them.
§33.32.8revocatus praeco, cum unusquisque non audire modo sed videre libertatis suae nuntium averet, iterum pronuntiavit eadem.
The herald was recalled, as everyone desired not only to hear but also to see the messenger of their liberty; he pronounced the same words again.
§33.32.9tum ab certo iam gaudio tantus cum clamore plausus est ortus totiensque repetitus, ut facile appareret nihil omnium bonorum multitudini gratius quam libertatem esse.
Then, from what was now a certain joy, so great an applause with shouting arose and was so many times repeated, that it easily appeared that of all good things, nothing is more pleasing to the multitude than liberty.
§33.32.10ludicrum deinde ita raptim peractum est, ut nullius nec animi nec oculi spectaculo intenti essent; adeo unum gaudium praeoccupaverat omnium aliarum sensum voluptatium.
The games were then performed so hastily that the minds and eyes of none were intent on the spectacle; so entirely had one single joy preoccupied the sense of all other pleasures.