uld have been so triumphed over by
Deinokrates.

XIX. The Messenians who were in the city, greatly excited at the news,
assembled at the gates. When they saw Philopoemen dragged along and
treated in a manner so unworthy of a man who had gained such glorious
victories, most of them felt compassion for him, and were moved to
tears as they reflected how uncertain a thing is human power. Thus
gradually they expressed aloud their kindly feeling towards him,
saying that his former benefits and the liberty which he bestowed
upon them by driving out the despot Nabis, ought to be had in
remembrance. There were some few, however, who in order to gain favour
with Deinokrates, advised him to put Philopoemen to death by torture,
pointing out that he was a dangerous enemy, and would be peculiarly
exasperated against Deinokrates if he now were to regain his freedom
after having been his captive and having been insulted by him. Finally
they put him into what was called the Treasury, a subterranean chamber
with no window or communication with the outward air, and no door
even, but closed by a great stone. There they left him, putting the
great stone over the entrance, and placing a guard of armed men round
it.

Meanwhile the Achaean horsemen rallied from their flight, and as
Philopoemen was nowhere to be seen, they thought that he must have
fallen. They remained for a long while, searching for him, and
reproaching themselves with having obtained dishonourable safety by
abandoning to the enemy their leader, who had laid down his life for
them. Afterwards they pushed forward, inquiring everywhere for him,
and at length learned that he had been captured. They at once sent the
news to the various cities of the Achaean league, who took the matter
greatly to heart, determined to demand Philopoemen publicly from the
Messenians, and prepared for a campaign on his behalf.

XX. While they were acting thus, Deinokrates feared that delay might
save Philopoemen's life. Wishing therefore to be beforehand with the
Achaeans, as soon as night came on, and the greater part of the
Messenians had retired, he opened the prison and sent into it a public
slave with a draught of poison, ordering him to stand by Philopoemen
until he had drunk it. Philopoemen was lying down wrapped in his cloak,
not asleep, but full of trouble and distress of mind. When he saw the
light and the slave with the poison standing beside him, he, with
great difficulty on account o