dship (_amicitia_, _philia_) from the Greeks in the course of the
third century. Previously, their only conception of friendly relations
between states was that of alliance (_societas_) based upon a perpetual
treaty (_foedus_), which bound each party to render military assistance to
the other and which neither could terminate at discretion. However, under
the influence of ideas current among the Hellenic states they began to
form friendships, i. e. to open up diplomatic relations with states and
rulers. These _amici_ (friends) could remain neutral in case Rome engaged
in war, or they could render Rome support, which was, however, voluntary
and not obligatory. And Rome enjoyed a similar freedom of action with
regard to them.

*Rome intervenes: 200 B. C.* The Roman Senate, influenced by mixed
motives--sympathy for the Hellenes and their culture, ambition to appear as
arbiters of the fate of the Greek world, a desire for revenge upon Philip
for his partial successes in the late war, and fear of seeing him develop
into a more powerful enemy--was anxious to intervene. But, although the
Roman fetials, the members of the priestly college which was the guardian
of the Roman traditions in international relations, decided that Attalus
and the other Roman _amici_ might be regarded as allies (_socii_) and so
be defended legitimately, the Roman people as a whole shrank from
embarking upon another war. The Comitia once voted against the proposal,
and at a second meeting was only induced to sanction it, when it was
represented to them that they would have to face another invasion of Italy
if they did not anticipate Philip's action.

*The Roman ultimatum.* The Senate next sent ambassadors to the East to
present an ultimatum to Philip, and at the same time to negotiate with
Antiochus for the cessation of his attacks upon Egypt, for the Romans did
not wish to have his forces added to those of the Macedonian king. When
Philip was engaged in the siege of Abydos on the Hellespont he received
the Roman terms, which were that he should abstain from attacking any
cities of the Greeks or the possessions of Ptolemy, and should submit to
arbitration his disputes with Attalus and the Rhodians. Upon his rejection
of these proposals the war opened.

*The Romans cross the Adriatic.* Late in 200 B. C. a Roman army under the
consul Sulpicius crossed into Illyricum and endeavored to penetrate into
Macedonia. However, both in this and in the succeeding