and which sought to regain
their independence. This the Confederacy was determined to prevent. One
such community was Sparta, and the policy of the Achaeans towards it in
the matter of the restoration of Spartan exiles led to the Spartans
appealing to Rome. The Roman decision wounded the susceptibilities of the
Confederacy without settling the problem, and the tendency of the Achaeans
to stand upon their rights provoked the anger of the Romans. Within the
Confederacy there developed a pro-Roman party ready to submit to Roman
dictatorship, and a national party determined to assert their right to
freedom of action. From 180 B. C. the Romans deliberately fostered the
aristocratic factions throughout the cities of Greece, feeling that they
were the more stable element and more in harmony with the policy of the
Senate. As a consequence the democratic factions began to look for outside
support and cast their eyes towards Macedonia.

*Rome and Macedonia.* Philip V of Macedon considered that the assistance
which he had furnished to Rome in the Syrian War was proof of his loyalty
and warranted the annexation of the territory he had overrun in that
conflict. But the Senate was not inclined to allow the power of Macedonia
to attain dangerous proportions, and he was forced to forego his claims.
Henceforth he was the bitter foe of the Romans. He devoted himself to the
development of the military resources of his kingdom with the ultimate
view of again challenging Rome's authority in Greece. At his death in 179
B. C. he left an army of from 30,000 to 40,000 men and a treasure of 6,000
talents ($7,200,000). His son and successor Perseus inherited his father's
anti-Roman policy and entered into relations with the foes of Rome
everywhere in Greece.

*The Third Macedonian War: 171-167 B. C.* But the Senate was kept well
aware of his schemes by his enemies in Greece, especially Eumenes of
Pergamon. Therefore they determined to forestall the completion of his
plans and force him into war. In 172, a Roman commission visited Perseus
and required of him concessions which meant the extinction of his
independence. Upon his refusal to comply with the demands they returned
home and Rome declared war. Now, when success depended upon energetic
action, Perseus sought to avoid the issue and tried to placate the Romans,
but in vain. In 171 a Roman force landed in Greece and made its way to
Thessaly. But in the campaigns of this and the following year