the Aetolians: 189 B. C.* The Roman campaign of 191
against the Aetolians had caused the latter, who were also attacked by
Philip of Macedon, to seek terms. However, as the Romans demanded an
unconditional surrender, the Aetolians decided to continue the struggle.
In the next year no energetic measures were taken against them, but in 189
the consul Fulvius Nobilior pressed the war vigorously and besieged their
chief city, Ambracia. But since the obstinate resistance of its defenders
defied all his efforts, and since the Athenians were trying to act as
mediators in bringing the war to a close, the Romans abandoned their
demand for an unconditional surrender and peace was made on the following
conditions. The Aetolian Confederacy gave up all territory captured by its
enemies during the war and entered into a permanent alliance with Rome,
whereby it was bound to send contingents to the Roman armies. Ambracia was
surrendered and destroyed, and the Romans occupied the pirate nest of
Cephallenia.

III. THE THIRD MACEDONIAN WAR: 171-167 B. C.

*Rome and the Greek states.* Although by her alliance with the Aetolians
Rome had planted herself permanently on Greek soil, and in the war with
Antiochus had claimed to exercise a sort of protectorate over the Greek
world, still the Senate as yet gave no indication of reversing the policy
of Flamininus, and the Greek states remained as the friends of Rome in the
enjoyment of political independence. However, it was not long before these
friendly relations became seriously strained and Rome was induced to
embark upon a policy of interference in Greek affairs which ultimately put
an end to the apparent freedom of Hellas. The fundamental cause of this
change was that while Rome interpreted Greek freedom to mean liberty of
action provided that the wishes and arrangements of Rome were respected,
the Greeks understood it to mean the perfect freedom of sovereign
communities, and resented bitterly any infringement of their rights.
Keeping in mind these conflicting points of view, it is easy to see how
difficulties were bound to arise which would inevitably be settled
according to the wishes of the stronger power.

*Rome and the Achaeans.* The chief specific causes for the change in the
Roman policy are to be found in the troubles of the Achaean Confederacy
and the reviving ambitions of Macedonia. The Confederacy included many
city-states which had been compelled to join it