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The Romans, in the countries which they annexed, observed closely

these measures; they sent colonies and maintained friendly

relations with[2] the minor powers, without increasing their

strength; they kept down the greater, and did not allow any

strong foreign powers to gain authority. Greece appears to me

sufficient for an example. The Achaeans and Aetolians were kept

friendly by them, the kingdom of Macedonia was humbled, Antiochus

was driven out; yet the merits of the Achaeans and Aetolians

never secured for them permission to increase their power, nor

did the persuasions of Philip ever induce the Romans to be his

friends without first humbling him, nor did the influence of

Antiochus make them agree that he should retain any lordship over

the country.