Capture of Thebes In Phthiotis
Thus baffled in his attempt upon Meliteia, Philip encamped upon the bank of the Enipeus, and collected from
Larisa and the other cities the siege train which he had caused
to be constructed during the winter. For the chief object of
his campaign was the capture of the city called
Phthiotid Thebes. noteNow this city lies no long
way from the sea, about thirty stades from
Larisa, and is conveniently situated in regard both to Magnesia and Thessaly; but especially as commanding the district
of Demetrias in Magnesia, and of Pharsalus and Pherae in
Thessaly. From it, at that very time, much damage was
being inflicted upon the Demetrians, Pharsalians, and
Larisaeans; as the Aetolians were in occupation of it, and
made continual predatory expeditions, often as far as to the
plain of Amyrus. Philip did not regard the matter as at all
of small importance, but was exceedingly bent on taking the
town. Having therefore got together a hundred and fifty
catapults, and twenty-five stone-throwing balistae, he sat down
before Thebes. He distributed his forces between three
points in the vicinity of the city; one was encamped near
-- 447 --
Scopium; a second near a place called Heliotropium; and the
third on the hill overhanging the town. The spaces between
these camps he fortified by a trench and double palisade, and
further secured them by towers of wood, at intervals of a
hundred feet, with an adequate guard. When these works
were finished, he collected all his siege train together and began
to move his engines towards the citadel.
