A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

(Φαινέας), an Aetolian of high rank, who held the office of praetor of the Aetolian league in B. C. 198, and was present at the conference between Flamininus and Philip at the Malian gulf, on which occasion he distinguished himself by the vehemence of his opposition to the demands of the Macedonian king. (Plb. 17.1,3,4; Liv. 32.32, 33, 34.) Early in the ensuing spring (B. C. 197) he joined Flamininus with the Aetolian contingent, and appears to have rendered important services in the campaign that followed (Liv. 33.3,6, 7). But in the conference that was again held between the Roman general and Philip, for the settlement of the terms of peace, after the decisive battle of Cynoscephalae, Phaeneas gave great offence to Flamininus by the pertinacity with which he insisted on the restitution, to the Aetolians of certain cities in Thessaly, and the dispute between them on this occasion is regarded by Polybius as the first origin of the war that subsequently broke out between the Romans and Aetolians ( Plb. 18.21_22; Liv. 33.13). In B. C. 192, when Antiochus landed in Greece, Phaeneas was again praetor, and in that capacity was one of those who introduced the kingl into the assembly of the Aetolians at Lamia. But in the discussions that ensued he took the lead of the more moderate party, and opposed, though unsuccessfully, the warlike counsels of Thoas and his adherents (Liv. 35.44, 45). Though he was overruled at this period, the unfavourable turn of affairs soon induced the Aetolians to listen to more pacific counsels, and, after the fall of Heracleia, B. C. 191, an embassy was despatched, at the head of which was Phaeneas himself, to bear the submission of the nation to the Roman general M'. Aeilius Glabrio. But the exorbitant demands of the latter and his arrogant demeanour towards the ambassadors themselves, broke off all prospect of reconciliation, and the war was continued, though the Roman arms were for a time diverted against Antiochus. In. B. C. 190, Phaeneas was again sent as ambassador to Rome to sue for peace, but both he and his colleagues fell into the hands of the Epeirots, and were compelled to pay a heavy ransom to redeem themselves from captivity. Meanwhile, the arrival of the consul M. Fulvius put an end to all hopes of peace. But during the siege of Ambracia, S. C. 189, the Aetolians determined to make one more effort, and Phaeneas and Damoteles were sent to the Roman consul, with powers to conclude peace on almost any terms. This they ultimately obtained, through teh intereession of the Anthenians ans Rhodians, and the favour of C. Valerius Laevinus, upon more modernte conditions than they could have dared to hope for Phaeneas now hastened to Rome to obtain the ratification of this treaty, which was, after some hesitation, granted by the senate on nearly the same terms as those dictated by Fulvius. (Plb. 20.9, 10, 22.8,9, 12-14, 15; Liv. 36.28, 29, 35, 38.8-11.)

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