The Library of History

Page 479 Being therefore thus freed from the War with the Athenians, and hearing that Agis King of the Paeones was dead, he judg'd that a fair Opportunity was offer'd him to invade the Paeones: And to that end he enter'd their Country with a considerable Army, overcame them in Battel, and forc'd them to stoop to the Macedonian Yoke.

But still the Illyrians remain'd an Eye-sore to him, whom his Heart and all his Thoughts were continually at work to bring under. To that end he call'd a General Council, and by a Speech (fitted for the Occasion) having spirited the Soldiers to the War, he led an Army into the Illyrians Country of no less than Ten thousand Foot, and Six hundred Horse.

Bardylis King of the Illyrians hearing of his coming, first sent Ambassadors to Philip to renew the League between them upon these Terms, That both of them should keep those Towns that they then had. To which Philip answer'd, That he was very desirous of Peace; but resolv'd not to admit of it, before that the Illyrians had quitted all the Towns belonging to the Kingdom of Macedon.

The Ambassadors therefore being return'd without effecting any thing, Bardylis (confiding in the Valour of his Soldiers, and encourag'd by his former Victories) march'd forth against his Enemies with a strong Army, having with him Ten thousand choice Foot, and Five hundred Horse.

When the Armies drew near one to another, they suddenly set up a great Shout, and so fell to it. Philip being in the Right Wing with a strong Body of Macedonians, commanded his Horse to wheel about, to the end to charge the Enemy in the Flank; and he himself charged the Front; upon which there was an hot Engagement.

On the other side, the Illyrians drew up in a foursquare Body, and valiantly join'd Battel.

The Valour of the Armies on both sides was such, that the issue of the Battel was doubtful a long time; many fell, but many more were wounded; and the Advantage was now here, and then there, according as the Valour and Resolution of the Combatants gave Vigour and Life to the Business.

At length, when the Horse charg'd both upon the Flank and the Rear, and Philip with his stoutest Soldiers fought like a Hero in the Front, the whole Body of the Illyrians were routed, and forc'd to fly outright, whom the Macedonians pursu'd a long way. After many were kill'd in the pursuit, Philip at length gave the Signal to his Men to retire, and erected a Trophy, and bury'd the Dead.

Then the Illyrians sent another Embassie, and procur'd a Peace, having first quitted all the Cities belonging to Macedon. There were slain of the Illyrians in this Battel above Seven thousand Men. Having thus given an account of things done in Macedonia and Illyrium, we shall now relate the Affairs of other Nations.