Wisely he spoke, telling them to live in 'harmony and moderation.' Then, as a farewell gift, he promised to remove the Roman garrisons from three other towns.
As at the Isthmian games in 196 B.C., so now again, the easily moved people overwhelmed Flamininus with their gratitude. But when at length the tumult grew less, the Roman said that there was a practical proof of their goodwill which he would like them to give to him.
Many Romans had been taken prisoners and sold as slaves in Greece during the wars with Hannibal. These he begged them to set free.
The Greeks were eager to show that their gratitude was sincere. So when Flamininus reached the coast of Epirus, where his fleet was lying, he found a great band of Roman captives awaiting him. They had been ransomed by the grateful citizens.
In Rome, when Flamininus celebrated his triumph, he had in his procession no more splendid trophies than these prisoners, who had been redeemed by his unselfish thought.
