FLAMINIUS, T. Quinctius

FLAMINIUS, T. Quinctius, an illustrious Roman senator, born about 228 B. C., at a time when his country was engaged in important wars, which drew forth all the talent it possessed. His early youth was passed in arms against Hannibal; and so much did he distinguish himself in the

various duties he was called on to discharge, that he ventured to stand candidate for the consulate before the legal age, and without having passed through the inferior offices. His canvass was successful, and he became consul at the age of thirty (198 B. C.). The Romans had for several years been engaged in a contest with Philip III. king of Macedon, whose supremacy extended over the whole of Greece; and he had as yet baffled all attempts made by them to bring him under subjection. The war with this monarch was entrusted to the young Flaminius; and by the wisdom and vigour of his measures he compelled Philip to retreat from a strong position on the river Apsus in Epirus, where he had hitherto been able to set the Roman generals at defiance. This opened up to him the road to Thessaly, where he had no sooner arrived than the whole country declared itself in his favour. The mildness of his manners, his affability, and constant regard to the strict rules of justice, gained him the hearts of all who approached him; but Philip was determined not to yield the power which he had inherited from his ancestors without a struggle. The armies met at Cynoscephalæ in Thessaly, to the south of the river Peneus, small hills so called from their resemblance to the heads of dogs; and the result was the entire defeat of Philip (197 B. C.). Though that monarch was entirely in his power, Flaminius restored to him his kingdom, but compelled him to renounce all claim to the sovereignty of Greece. He prevailed on the commissioners, who had been sent by the senate to assist him in settling the affairs of Greece, to declare its entire independence, and to withdraw the garrisons from all its cities. The wisdom of this policy was soon effectually proved; as Greece became more completely attached to the Roman dominion from affection than she could ever have been by force. In the latter years of his life we find him employed in a mission to which, from his noble character and humane disposition, we can scarcely give credit. He was sent (183 B. C.) by the senate to demand from Prusias king of Bithynia, that Hannibal should be given up to the Romans; and though Prusias used every intercession in favour of a man who lived with him under the sanction of hospitality, he could not prevail. Flaminius, it seems, insisted that his demand should be granted; and, to escape his enemies, Hannibal put an end to his life by poison. Plutarch states that there is some doubt whether Flaminius was employed in this embassy; and we would fain believe that he did not tarnish his character by conduct so utterly unworthy of it. (Plutarch, Life of Flaminius; Livy, xxxii. xxxiii. xxxiv.)