SYLLA. 173

of him, as if he had been one of his own captains, or his colleague in command. This gave suspicion of foul play in the battle of Chaeronea ; as it was also observed that Sylla had released all the friends of Mithridates taken prisoners in war, except only Aristion the tyrant, who was at enmity with Archelaus, and was put to death by poison ; and, above all, ten thousand acres of land in Euboea had been given to the Cappadocian, and he had received from Sylla the style of friend and ally of the Eomans. On all which points Sylla defends himself in his Memoirs. The ambassadors of Mithridates arriving and declaring that they accepted of the conditions, only Paphlagonia they could not part with ; and as for the ships, professing not to know of any such capitulation, Sylla in a rage ex- claimed, " What say you ? Does Mithridates then with- hold Paphlagonia ? and as to the ships, deny that article ? I thought to have seen him prostrate at my feet to thank me for leaving him so much as that right hand of his, which has cut off so many Romans. He will shortly, at my coming over into Asia, speak another lan- guage ; in the mean time, let him at his ease in Perga- mus sit managing a war which he never saw." The ambassadors in terror stood silent by, but Archelaus endeavored with humble supplications to assuage his wrath, laying hold on his right hand and weeping. In conclusion he obtained permission to go himself in person to Mithridates ; for that he would either mediate a peace to the satisfaction of Sylla, or if not, slay himself. Sylla having thus despatched him away, made an inroad into Maadica, and after wide depopulations returned back again into Macedon, where he received Archelaus about Philippi, bringing word that all was well, and that Mith- ridates earnestly requested an interview. The chief cause of this meeting was Fimbria ; for he having assas-