Sardis Destroyed
Meanwhile Lagoras, Theodotus, Dionysius, and their
men had climbed the rocks and had arrived at the gate
nearest them; and some of them were engaged in fighting the
troops sent from the citadel to oppose them, while others were
cutting through the bars; and at the same time the party outside
told off for that service were doing the same. The gates
having thus been quickly forced open, the two thousand entered
and occupied the area round the theatre. On this all the men
from the walls, and from the Persian gate, to which Aribazus
had already led a relieving force, rushed in hot haste to pass
the word to attack the enemy within the gates. The result
was that, the gate having been opened as they retreated, some
of the king's army rushed in along with the retiring garrison;
and, when they had thus taken possession of the gate, they were
followed by an unbroken stream of their comrades; some of
whom poured through the gate, while others employed themselves in bursting open other gates in the vicinity. Aribazus
and all the men in the city, after a brief struggle against the
enemy who had thus got within the walls, fled with all speed to
the citadel. After that, Theodotus and Lagoras and their party
remained on the ground near the theatre, determining with
great good sense and soldier-like prudence to form a reserve
until the whole operation was completed; while the main body
rushed in on every side and occupied the town. And now by
dint of some putting all they met to the sword, others setting
fire to the houses, others devoting themselves to plunder and
taking booty, the destruction and sacking of the town was
completed. Thus did Antiochus become master of Sardis. . . .
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