Teuta Sends Out Another Fleet
When the season for sailing was come Teuta sent out a
note
larger fleet of galleys than ever against the
Greek shores, some of which sailed straight to
Corcyra; while a portion of them put into the
harbour of Epidamnus on the pretext of taking
in victual and water, but really to attack the town. The
Epidamnians received them without suspicion
and without taking any precautions. note Entering
the town therefore clothed merely in their
tunics, as though they were only come to fetch
water, but with swords concealed in the water vessels, they
slew the guards stationed at the gates, and in a brief space were
masters of the gate-tower. Being energetically supported by
a reinforcement from the ships, which came quickly up in
accordance with a pre-arrangement, they got possession of the
greater part of the walls without difficulty. But though the
citizens were taken off their guard they made a determined
and desperate resistance, and the Illyrians after maintaining
their ground for some time were eventually driven out of
the town. So the Epidamnians on this occasion went near to
lose their city by their carelessness; but by the courage which
they displayed they saved themselves from actual damage
while receiving a useful lesson for the future. The Illyrians
who had engaged in this enterprise made haste to put to sea,
and, rejoining the advanced squadron, put in at
Corcyra: there, to the terror of the inhabitants,
they disembarked and set about besieging the
town. note Dismayed and despairing of their safety, the Corcyreans,
acting in conjunction with the people of Apollonia and Epidamnus, sent off envoys to the
Achaean and Aetolian leagues, begging for instant help, and entreating them not to allow of
their being deprived of their homes by the Illyrians. note The
petition was accepted, and the Achaean and Aetolian leagues
combined to send aid. The ten decked ships of war belonging
to the Achaeans were manned, and having been fitted out in a
few days, set sail for Corcyra in hopes of raising the siege.
