Vulso ponders his reply to King Prusias for some time, then nods and speaks.

As Rome suspected, Your Majesty, Bithynia has its problems just as Rome does. It was for this very reason that our mission in coming here was, as I explained, with the limited objective of improving our trade and diplomatic relations. We knew that to suggest anything more far-reaching at this early stage would present too many complexities, just as you say.

Rome is cautious about naming other States as her Friends and Allies. Not only can such a move embroil Rome in far away politics of which she knows little, but it carries with it onerous obligations on our side to defend our Allies from any outside aggression, however inconvenient. Rome is particularly careful at present about making new Friends and Allies because of the ingratitude of Smyrna and Dorylaeum, two independent States with whom Rome had such arrangements but who have renounced that status unilaterally. We would wish to be sure of our ground before entering into similar arrangements in the future.

We therefore agree with Your Majesty that talk of an Alliance is complex and premature. We already have commitments to Pergamum and Egypt; we are bound to them by Treaty and in honour. Maybe in the future, after we have got to know each other better, we can move closer politically. At present it seems safer to confine ourselves to improving our commercial and diplomatic ties as a first step.

What do you say, Your Majesty, shall we draw up a Treaty on these limited areas to present to you for approval. Before sending it back to Rome for final approbation?