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was hesitating and letting the time go by； being now on the point of
laying down his office； in which he himself was chosen to succeed him；
he anticipated the proper term by five days； that he might bring
relief to the Messenians。 And mustering the Achaeans； who were both in
their persons unexercised in arms and in their minds relaxed and
averse to war； he met with a defeat at Caphyae。 Having thus begun
the war； as it seemed； with too much heat and passion； he then ran
into the other extreme； cooling again and desponding so much that he
let pass and overlooked many fair opportunities of advantage given
by the Aetolians； and allowed them to run riot； as it were； throughout
all Peloponnesus； with all manner of insolence and licentiousness。
Wherefore； holding forth their hands once more to the Macedonians；
they invited and drew in Philip to intermeddle in the affairs of
Greece； chiefly hoping； because of his affection and trust that he
felt for Aratus； they should find him easy。 tempered； and ready to
be managed as they pleased。
But the king； being now persuaded by Apelles； Megaleas； and other
courtiers； that endeavoured to ruin the credit Aratus had with him；
took the side of the contrary faction and joined them in canvassing to
have Eperatus chosen general by the Achaeans。 But he being
altogether scorned by the Achaeans； and； for the want of Aratus to
help； all things going wrong； Philip saw he had quite mistaken his
part； and； turning about and reconciling himself to Aratus； he was
wholly his； and his affairs； now going on favourably both for his
power and reputation； he depended upon him altogether as the author of
all his gains in both respects； Aratus hereby giving a proof to the
world that he was as good a nursing father of a kingdom as he had been
of a democracy； for the actions of the king had in them the touch
and colour of his judgment and character。 The moderation which the
young man showed to the Lacedaemonians； who had incurred his
displeasure； and his affability to the Cretans； by which in a few days
he brought over the whole island to his obedience； and his
expedition against the Aetolians； so wonderfully successful； brought
Philip reputation for hearkening to good advice； and to Aratus for
giving it； for which things the king's followers envying him more than
ever and finding they could not prevail against him by their secret
practices； began openly to abuse and affront him at the banquets and
over their wine； with every kind of petulance and impudence； so that
once they threw stones at him as he was going back from supper to
his tent。 At which Philip being much offended； immediately fined
them twenty talents； and finding afterwards that they still went on
disturbing matters and doing mischief in his affairs； he put them to
death。
But with his run of good success； prosperity began to puff him up；
and various extravagant desires began to spring and show themselves in
his mind； and his natural bad inclinations breaking through the。
artificial restraints he had put upon them； in a little time laid open
and discovered his true and proper character。 In the first place； he
privately injured the younger Aratus in his wife； which was not
known of a good while； because he was lodged and entertained at
their house； then he began to be more rough and untractable in the
domestic politics of Greece； and showed plainly that he was wishing to
shake himself loose of Aratus。 This the Messenian affairs first gave
occasion to suspect。 For they falling into sedition； and Aratus
being just too late with his succours； Philip； who got into the city
one day before him； at once blew up the flame of contention amongst
them； asking privately； on the one hand； the Messenian generals； if
they had not laws whereby to suppress the insolence of the common
people； and on the other； the leaders of the people； whether they
had not hands to help themselves against their oppressors。 Upon
which gathering courage； the officers attempted to lay hands on the
heads of the people； and they on the other side； coming upon the
officers with the multitude； killed them； and very near two hundred
persons with them。
Philip having committed this wickedness； and doing his best to set
the Messenians by the ears together more than before； Aratus arrived
there； and both showed plainly that he took it ill himself； and also
he suffered his son bitterly to reproach and revile him。 It should
seem that the young man had an attachment for Philip； and so at this
time one of his expressions to him was； that he no longer appeared
to him the handsomest； but the most deformed of all men； after so foul
an action。 To all which Philip gave him no answer； though he seemed so
angry as to make it expected he would； and though several times he
cried out aloud while the young man was speaking。 But as for the elder
Aratus； seeming to take all that he said in good part； and as if he
were by nature a politic character and had a good command of
himself； he gave him his hand and led him out of the theatre； and
carried him with him to the Ithomatas； to sacrifice there to
Jupiter； and take a view of the place； for it is a post as fortifiable
as the Acro…Corinthus； and； with a garrison in it； quite as strong and
as impregnable to the attacks of all around it。 Philip therefore
went up hither； and having offered sacrifice； receiving the entrails
of the ox with both his hands from the priest； he showed them to
Aratus and Demetrius the Pharian； presenting them sometimes to the one
and sometimes to the other； asking them what they judged； by the
tokens in the sacrifice； was to be done with the fort； was he to
keep it for himself； or restore it to the Messenians。 Demetrius
laughed and answered； 〃If you have in you the soul of a soothsayer；
you will restore it； but if of a prince you will hold the ox by both
the horns；〃 meaning to refer to Peloponnesus； which would be wholly in
his power and at his disposal if he added the Ithomatas to the
Acro…Corinthus。 Aratus said not a word for a good while； but Philip
entreating him to declare his opinion； he said： 〃Many and great
hills are there in Crete； and many rocks in Boeotia and Phocis； and
many remarkable strongholds both near the sea and in the midland in
Acarnania； and yet all these people obey your orders； though you
have not possessed yourself of any one of those places。 Robbers nest
themselves in rocks and precipices； but the strongest fort a king
can have is confidence and affection。 These have opened to you the
Cretan sea； these make you master of Peloponnesus； and by the help
of these； young as you are； are you become captain of the one； and
lord of the other。〃 While he was still speaking； Philip returned the
entrails to the priest； and drawing Aratus to him by the hand；
〃Come； then；〃 said he； 〃let us follow the same course as if he felt
himself forced by him； and obliged to give up the town。
From this time Aratus began to withdraw from court； and retired by
degrees from Philip's company； when he was preparing to march into
Epirus； and desired him that he would accompany him thither； he
excused himself and stayed at home； apprehending t