GAIUS POPILLIUS LAENAS

gaius popillius laenas, consul in 172 b.c. he was sent to greece in 174 to allay the general disaffection, but met with little success. he took part in the war against perseus, king of macedonia (livy xliii. 17, 22). when antiochus epiphanes, king of syria, invaded egypt, laenas was sent to arrest his progress. meeting him near alexandria, he handed him the decree of the senate, demanding the evacuation of egypt. antiochus having asked time for consideration, laenas drew a circle round him with his staff, and told him he must give an answer before he stepped out of it. antiochus thereupon submitted (livy xlv. 12; polybius xxix. 11; cicero, _philippica_, viii. 8; vell. pat. i. 10).