IX, 28.—­It was at this time, too, that the episode occurred in which Prusias figured.  The latter being old and of an irritable disposition became possessed by a fear that the Bithynians would expel him from his kingdom, choosing in his stead his son Nicomedes.  So on some pretext he sent his son to Rome, with orders to make that his home.  But since he plotted against the younger man even during the sojourn in Rome and labored to kill him, some Bithynians made visits to Rome, took Nicomedes away secretly and conveyed him to Bithynia, and after slaying the old man designated him king.  This act vexed the Romans, but did not incense them to the point of war.

A certain Andriscus, who was a native of Atramyttium and resembled Perseus in appearance, caused a wide area of Macedonia to revolt by pretending to be his son and calling himself Philip.  First he went to Macedonia and tried to upheave the country, but as no one would yield him allegiance he took his way to Demetrius in Syria to obtain from him the aid which relationship might afford.  Demetrius arrested him and sent him to Rome, where he met with general contempt, both because he stood convicted of not being the son of Perseus and because he had no other qualities that were worthy of attention.  On being released he gathered a band of revolutionists, drew after him a number of cities, and finally, assuming the kingly garb and mustering an army, he reached Thrace.  There he added to his army numbers of the independent lands as well as numbers of princes who disliked the Romans, invaded Macedonia (which he occupied), and setting out for Thessaly made not a little of that territory his own.

The Romans at first scorned Andriscus and then they sent Scipio Nasica to effect some peaceful settlement in those parts.  On reaching Greece and ascertaining what had occurred he despatched a letter to the Romans explaining the case; then after collecting troops from allies there he gave attention to the business in hand and advanced as far as Macedonia.  The people of Rome when informed of the doings of Andriscus sent an army and Publius Juventius, a praetor.  Juventius had just reached the vicinity of Macedonia, when Andriscus gave battle, killed the praetor, and would have annihilated his entire force but for its withdrawal by night.  Next he invaded Thessaly, damaged a very great extent of it, and ranged Thracian interests on his side.  Consequently the people of Rome once more despatched a praetor, Quintus Caecilius Metellus, with a strong body of troops:  he proceeded to Macedonia and enjoyed the assistance of the fleet of Attalus.  The fleet inspired Andriscus with some alarm for the coast districts so that he did not venture to advance farther but moved up to a point slightly beyond Pydna.  There he had the best of it in a cavalry encounter but out of fear of the infantry turned back.  His elation was such that he divided his army into two sections, and with one remained on the watch where