4. By careful planning and persistence, they had conquered the whole country, even though it was far from Rome. They had overcome the kings from distant lands who had fought against them; they had defeated them so badly that the survivors had to pay annual taxes.
5. They had fought and conquered Philip and Perseus, kings of Macedonia, and all who had joined them against Rome.
6. They had even defeated Antiochus the Great, king of Syria, who had attacked them with 120 elephants, cavalry, chariots, and a powerful army.
7. They had taken him alive and forced him and his successors to pay heavy taxes, to give hostages, and to surrender
8. India, Media, Lydia, and some of their best lands. They took these and gave them to King Eumenes.
9. When the Greeks made plans to attack and destroy them,
10. the Romans learnt of the plans and sent a general to fight against them. The Romans killed many of the Greeks, took their wives and children captive, plundered their possessions, occupied their land, tore down their fortresses, and made them slaves, as they are today.
11. They also destroyed or made slaves of other kingdoms, the islands, and everyone who had ever fought against them.
12. But they maintained their friendship with their allies and those who relied on them for protection. They conquered kings near and far, and everyone who heard of their reputation was afraid of them.
13. They helped some men to become kings, while they deposed others; they had become a world power.
14. In spite of all this, no Roman ever tried to advance his own position by wearing a crown or putting on royal robes.
15. They created a senate, and each day 320 senators came together to deliberate about the affairs of the people and their wellbeing.