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ey turned and fled。 The peltasts followed without delay； and pursued them right up to their city； while the heavy troops in unbroken order followed。 As soon as they were up at the houses of the capital； there and then the enemy； collecting all together in one strong body； fought valiantly； and hurled their javelins； or else clenched their long stout spears； almost too heavy for a man to wield； and did their best to ward off the attack at close quarters。
But when the Hellenes； instead of giving way； kept massing together more thickly； the barbarians fled from this place also； and in a body deserted the fortress。 Their king； who sat in his wooden tower or mossyn； built on the citadel （there he sits and there they maintain him； all at the common cost； and guard him narrowly）； refused to come forth； as did also those in the fortress first taken； and so were burnt to a cinder where they were； their mossyns； themseves； and all。 The Hellenes； pillaging and ransacking these places； discovered in the different houses treasures and magazines of loaves； pile upon pile； 〃the ancestral stores；〃 as the Mossynoecians told them； but the new corn was laid up apart with the straw…stalk and ear together； and this was for the most part spelt。 Slices of dolphin were another discovery； in narrow…necked jars； all properly salted and pickled； and there was blubber of dolphin in vessels； which the Mossynoecians used precisely as the Hellenes use oil。 Then there were large stores of nuts on the upper floor； the broad kind without a division＇3＇。 This was also a chief article of food with themboiled nuts and baked loaves。 Wine was also discovered。 This； from its rough； dry quality； tasted sharp when drunk pure； but mixed with water was sweet and fragrant。
＇3＇ I。e。 〃chestnuts。〃
The Hellenes breakfasted and then started forward on their march； having first delivered the stronghold to their allies among the Mossynoecians。 As for the other strongholds belonging to tribes allied with their foes； which they passed en route； the most accessible were either deserted by their inhabitants or gave in their adhesion 30 voluntarily。 The following description will apply to the majority of them： the cities were on an average ten miles apart； some more； some less； but so elevated is the country and intersected by such deep clefts that if they chose to shout across to one another； their cries would be heard from one city to another。 When； in the course of their march； they came upon a friendly population； these would entertain them with exhibitions of fatted children belonging to the wealthy classes； fed up on boiled chestnuts until they were as white as white can be； of skin plump and delicate； and very nearly as broad as they were long； with their backs variegated and their breasts tattooed with patterns of all sorts of flowers。 They sought after the women in the Hellenic army； and would fain have laid with them openly in broad daylight； for that was their custom。 The whole community； male and female alike； were fair…complexioned and white…skinned。
It was agreed that this was the most barbaric and outlandish people that they had passed through on the whole expedition； and the furthest removed from the Hellenic customs； doing in a crowd precisely what other people would prefer to do in solitude； and when alone behaving exactly as others would behave in company； talking to themselves and laughing at their own expense； standing still and then again capering about； wherever they might chance to be； without rhyme or reason； as if their sole business were to show off to the rest of the world。
V
Through this country； friendly or hostile as the chance might be； the 1 Hellenes marched； eight stages in all； and reached the Chalybes。 These were a people few in number； and subject to the Mossynoecians。 Their livelihood was for the most part derived from mining and forging iron。
Thence they came to the Tibarenians。 The country of the Tibarenians was far more level； and their fortresses lay on the seaboard and were less strong； whether by art or nature。 The generals wanted to attack these places； so that the army might get some pickings； and they would not accept the gifts of hospitality which came in from the 2 Tibarenians； but bidding them wait till they had taken counsel； they proceeded to offer sacrifice。 After several abortive attempts； the seers at last pronounced an opinion that the gods in no wise countenanced war。 Then they accepted the gifts of hospitality； and marching through what was now recognised as a friendly country； in two days reached Cotyora； a Hellenic city； and a colony of Sinope； albeit situated in the territory of the Tibarenians＇1＇。
＇1＇ The MSS。 here read； 〃Up to this point the expedition was conducted on land； and the distance traversed on foot from the battle…field near Babylon down to Cotyora amounted to one hundred and twenty…two stagesthat is to say； six hundred and twenty parasangs； or eighteen thousand stades； or if measured in time； an eight months' march。〃 The words are probably the note of some editor or commentator； though it is quite likely that the author himself may have gone through such calculations and even have inserted them as a note to his text。
Here they halted forty…five days； during which they first of all sacrificed to the gods； and instituted processions； each set of the Hellenes according to their several tribes； with gymnastic contests。 Provisions they got in meanwhile； partly from Paphlagonia； partly from the estates of the Cotyorites； for the latter would neither provide them a market nor receive their sick within their walls。
Meanwhile ambassadors arrived from Sinope； full of fears； not only for the Cotyorites and their city； which belonged to Sinope； and brought in tribute； but also for the territory which； as they had heard； was being pillaged。 Accordingly they came to the camp and made a speech。 Hecatonymus； who was reported to be a clever orator； acted as their spokesman： 〃Soldiers；〃 he said； 〃the city of the Sinopeans has sent us to offer you； as Hellenes； our compliments and congratulations on your victories over the barbarians； and next； to express our joyful satisfaction that you have surmounted all those terrible sufferings of which we have heard； and have reached this place in safety。 As Hellenes we claim to receive at your hands； as fellow…Hellenes； kindness and not harm。 We have certainly not ourselves set you an example heretofore of evil treatment。 Now the Cotyorites are our colonists。 It was we who gave them this country to dwell in； having 10 taken it from the barbarians； for which reason also they； with the men of Cerasus and Trapezus； pay us an appointed tribute。 So that； whatever mischief you inflict on the men of Cotyora； the city of Sinope takes as personal to herself。 At the present time we hear that you have made forcible entry into their city； some of you； and are quartered in the houses； besides taking forcibly from the Cotyorite estates whatever you need； by hook and by crook。 Now against these things we enter protest。 If you mean to go on so doing； you will drive us to make friends with Corylas and the Paphlagonia