§35.25.1et populus quidem Romanus ita se ad omnis conatus Antiochi praeparabat; §35.25.2Nabis iam non differebat bellum, sed summa vi Gytheum oppugnabat et infestus Achaeis, quod miserant obsessis praesidium, §35.25.3agros eorum vastabat.
And indeed the Roman people were thus preparing themselves for all the attempts of Antiochus; Nabis was now no longer delaying the war, but was attacking Gytheum with his utmost force, and, hostile to the Achaeans because they had sent a garrison to those who were besieged, was laying waste to their fields.
Achaei non antea ausi capessere bellum, §35.25.4quam ab Roma revertissent legati, ut, quid senatui placeret, scirent, post reditum legatorum et Sicyonem concilium edixerunt et legatos ad T. Quinctium miserunt, qui consilium ab eo peterent.
The Achaeans had not dared to undertake the war before the legates should return from Rome, so that they might know what was the pleasure of the senate; but after the return of the legates, they both proclaimed a council at Sicyon and sent legates to Titus Quinctius to seek advice from him.
§35.25.5in concilio omnium ad bellum extemplo capessendum inclinatae sententiae erant; litterae T. Quincti cunctationem iniecerunt, quibus auctor erat praetorem classemque Romanam expectandi.
In the council, the opinions of all were inclined toward undertaking war immediately; a letter from Titus Quinctius cast hesitation among them, in which he advised waiting for the Roman praetor and the fleet.
§35.25.6cum principum alii in sententia permanerent, alii utendum eius, quem ipsi consuluissent, consilio censerent, multitudo Philopoemenis sententiam expectabat.
While some of the leading men persisted in their opinion, and others thought they should use the advice of him whom they themselves had consulted, the multitude was waiting for the opinion of Philopoemen.
§35.25.7praetor is tum erat et omnis eo tempore et prudentia et auctoritate anteibat.
He was then the praetor, and at that time surpassed everyone in both wisdom and authority.
is praefatus bene comparatum apud Aetolos esse, ne praetor, cum de bello consuluisset, ipse sententiam diceret, statuere quam primum ipsos, quid vellent, iussit: §35.25.8praetorem decreta eorum cum fide et cura exsecuturum adnisurumque, ut, quantum in consilio humano positum esset, §35.25.9nec pacis eos paeniteret nec belli.
Having premised that it was a good regulation among the Aetolians that the praetor, when he had consulted concerning war, should not himself deliver an opinion, he ordered them to decide as soon as possible what they wanted: that the praetor would execute their decrees with fidelity and care, and would strive so that, as far as was placed in human counsel, they should repent neither of peace nor of war.
plus ea oratio momenti ad incitandos ad bellum habuit, quam si aperte suadendo cupiditatem res gerendi ostendisset.
This speech had more weight in inciting them to war than if, by openly advising it, he had shown an eagerness for action.
§35.25.10itaque ingenti consensu bellum decretum est, tempus et ratio administrandi eius libera praetori permissa.
Therefore, with immense consensus, war was decreed, and the time and manner of conducting it were left free to the praetor.
§35.25.11Philopoemen, praeterquam quod ita Quinctio placeret, et ipse existimabat classem Romanam expectandam, §35.25.12quae a mari Gytheum tueri posset; sed metuens, ne dilationem res non pateretur, et non Gytheum solum sed praesidium quoque missum ad tuendam urbem amitteretur, naves Achaeorum deduxit.
Philopoemen, besides that it was the pleasure of Quinctius, also himself thought that the Roman fleet ought to be waited for, which could protect Gytheum from the sea; but fearing lest the matter would not brook delay, and that not only Gytheum but also the garrison sent to protect the city might be lost, he launched the ships of the Achaeans.