Titus Livius (Livy), The History of Rome, Book 32
Cyrus Evans, Ed.

32. It was by this time winter; and while Titus Quinctius, after the reduction of Elatia, had his winter quarters distributed in Phocis and Locris, a violent dissension broke out at Opus. [2] One faction invited to their assistance the Aetolians, who were nearest at hand; the other, the Romans. [3] The Aetolians arrived first; but the other party, which was the more powerful, refused them admittance, and, despatching a courier to the Roman general, held the city until his arrival. [4] The citadel was possessed by a garrison belonging to the king, and they could not be prevailed on to retire from thence, either by the threats of the people of Opus, or by the authority of the Roman consul's commands. [5] What prevented their being immediately attacked was, the arrival of an envoy from the king, to solicit the appointing of a time and place for a conference. [6] This was granted to the king with great reluctance; not that Quinctius did not wish to see war concluded under his own auspices, partly by arms, and partly by negotiation: [7] for he knew not, yet, whether one of the new consuls would be sent out as his successor, or whether he should be continued in the command; a point which he had charged his friends and relations to labour for with all their might. [8] But he thought that a conference would answer this purpose; [9] that it would put it in his power to give matters a turn towards war, in case he remained in the province, or towards peace, if he were to be removed. They chose for the meeting a part of the sea-shore, in the Malian gulf, near Nicaea. [10] Thither Philip came from Demetrias, with five barks and one ship of war: he was accompanied by some principal Macedonians, and an Achaean exile, name Cycliades, a man of considerable note. [11] With the Roman general, were king Amynander, Dionysidorus, ambassador from king Attalus, Agesimbrotus, commander of the Rhodian fleet, Phaeneas, praetor of the Aetolians, and two Achaeans, Aristaenus and Xenophon. [12] Attended by these, the Roman general advanced to the brink of the shore, when the king had come forward to the prow of his vessel, as it lay at anchor; and said, “If you [p. 1432]will come on the shore, we shall mutually speak and hear with more convenience.” [13] This the king refused; and on Quinctius asking him, “Whom do you fear?” [14] With the haughty spirit of royalty, he replied, “Fear I have none, but of the immortal gods; but I have no confidence in the faith of those whom I see about you, and least of all in the Aetolians.” [15] “That danger,” said the Roman, “is equal to all in common who confer with an enemy, if no confidence subsists.” “But, Titus Quinctius,” replied the king, “if treachery be intended, the prizes of perfidy are not equal, namely, Philip and Phaeneas. [16] For it will not be so difficult for the Aetolians to find another praetor, as for the Macedonians to find another king in my place.” —Silence then ensued.