Page:History of Greece Vol XII.djvu/375

IMPERIAL EDICT FROM PELLA. 343 have sanctioned his sympathies in favor of free Hellenic com- munity.' On learning the death of Aiitipater, most of the Greek cities had sent envoys to Pella.- To all the govenimeiits of these cities, composed as they were of his creatures, it was a matter of the utmost moment to know what course the new Macedonian authority would adopt. Polysperchon, persuaded that they would all adhere to Kassander, and that his only chance of com- bating that rival was by enlisting popular sympathy and interests in Greece, or at least by subverting these Antipatrian oligarchies — drew up in conjunction with his counsellors a proclamation which he issued in the name of the dynasty. After reciting the steady goodwill of Plilip and Alexander towards Greece, he affirmed that this feeling had been inter- rupted by the untoward Lamian war, originating with some ill- judged Greeks, and ending in the infliction of many severe calamities upon the various cities. But all these severities (he continued) had proceeded from the generals (Antipater and Kraterus) : the kings had now determined to redress them. It was accordingly proclaimed that the political constitution of each city should be restored, as it had stood in the times of Philip and Alexander ; that before the thirtieth of the month Xanthikus, all those who had been condemned to banishment, or deported, by the generals, should be recalled and received back ; that their properties, should be restored, and past sentences against them i-escinded ; that they should live in amnesty as to the past, and good feeling as to the future, with the remaining citizens. From this act of recall were excluded, the exiles of Amphissa, Trikka, Pharkadon, and Herakleia, together with a certain number of Megalopolitans, implicated in one particular conspiracy. In the particular case of those cities, the governments of which had been denounced as hostile by Philip or Alexander, special refer- ence and consultation was opened with Pella, for some modifica- tion to meet the circumstances. As to Athens, it was decreed that Samos should be restored to her, but not Oropus ; in all ' Plutarch, Eumcnes, 3. ' Diodor. xviii. 55. ev^iic ovv roDf uirb twf iroTieu^v Kapjvrag TTpcaBiVTcH tinntricaXeauiievoi, etc.