What was the reason for launching the Second Macedonian War?

At the end of the 3rd century BC, the balance of power in the Eastern Mediterranean changed. In the last years of Ptolemy IV's reign, Egypt declined significantly. In the relationship between predatory ancient empires, her decline aroused the greed of Philip and Syrian King Antioch, who tried to carve up Egyptian territory in Syria, Asia Minor, Aegean Sea and Strait. The desire of * * * made them transcend profound contradictions, concluded a secret agreement in the winter from 203 BC to 202 BC, and took military action against Egypt.

The plundering of conquered areas by the two empires and various acts of selling residents as slaves caused great indignation in the Greek world. I don't want to see small countries, such as Lot and Byzantium, form an alliance against Philip. In the summer of 20 1 BC, the envoys of Lott and Bergham arrived in Rome and asked the Senate for help. Earlier, Egypt also asked for protection. For Rome. Intervention in the East has always been an extremely serious issue, especially when the long-term war with Carthage has just ended and the people who have experienced the war are eager for peace. However, the Senate decided to go to war after a long debate. There are two main reasons for the Senate to do so.

First, Philip and Antioch Ocuss are potential enemies of Rome, and they both have the potential to build the most powerful country in the East. Philip has publicly stated that he would help Hannibal of Carthage. For this, the Romans have always held a grudge and wanted revenge. Now Hannibal has failed, but it has not been completely eliminated. Will he make a comeback and unite with Philip again? The Roman Senate will feel uneasy at the thought of this possibility. Antioch Ocuss is an ambitious, persevering and brilliant ruler, and the Roman Senate is worried that he will become another brave Alexander with the development of power. He made a secret contract with Philip, which made Rome realize that it was necessary to destroy open enemies and hidden dangers through a war.

Secondly, the aggressive intention of the Roman ruling group also played a great role. If it was necessary for Rome to defend itself in the first Macedonian War, then by this time, Rome's policy was expansionary. In the two Punic wars, Rome developed slavery, which greatly developed the slave economy, formed Italian manors, and expanded the financial economy including arranged commerce and wholesale commerce. The development of economy put forward the requirement of continuous expansion, and the Roman envy of oriental culture and greed for material wealth made the Senate grow a certain war sentiment. The emergence of the crisis in the East made this mood even higher. Helping the small Greek country ravaged by Philip is the best excuse to get involved in the war.

In the spring of 200 BC, Rome sent a three-member mission to the Balkans, with the aim of getting Greek countries to join the anti-Macedonian alliance and issuing an ultimatum to Philip. The mission carried out a passionate incitement in Greece, but the Greek city-states always kept a wait-and-see attitude and refused to undertake any obligations. Only Athens, which had a sharp conflict with Philip, declared war on Philip. Rome gave Philip an ultimatum: stop all hostile actions against the Greeks; Return all occupied Egyptian territories to Egypt; All disputes between Macedonia and Pergamm and Lot shall be settled by arbitration. This ultimatum is actually equivalent to asking Philip to hand over all his vested interests, so Philip is unwilling to accept it anyway. This was foreseen by the Roman Senate long ago, and the purpose of doing so was to arouse hatred against Macedonia in Roman public opinion that was openly hostile to war.