Bibliotheca Historica

​While Antigonus was occupied with these matters, Arrhidaeus, the satrap of Hellespontine Phrygia, having learned of his plan, decided to secure the affairs of his own satrapy and to occupy the most notable cities with garrisons. Since the city of the Cyzicenes was the most strategically situated and largest, he set out against it with more than ten thousand mercenary infantry, one thousand Macedonians, five hundred Persian archers and slingers, eight hundred cavalry, missiles of all kinds, catapults both for sharp bolts and for throwing stones, and all the other equipment pertaining to a siege.

​Falling suddenly upon the city and cutting off the great multitude of people in the countryside, he applied himself to the siege, and by terrifying those in the city, he tried to force them to receive a garrison. But the Cyzicenes, since the attack was unexpected, with the majority of their people cut off in the countryside and only a few left behind, were utterly unprepared for the siege.

​Nevertheless, deciding to hold fast to their freedom, they openly sent envoys to treat with Arrhidaeus to raise the siege; for they said that the city would do everything for Arrhidaeus except receiving a garrison. But secretly they gathered the young men and, selecting the fit among the slaves, they armed them and filled the wall with defenders.

​When Arrhidaeus insisted that they receive a garrison, they said they wished to refer the matter to the people. When the satrap agreed, they took this truce and during that day and the following night made better preparations for the siege.

​Arrhidaeus, having been outgeneraled and having thrown away his own opportune moment, was disappointed in his hope; for the Cyzicenes, possessing a city that was strong and completely easy to defend from the land side because it was a peninsula, and holding the mastery of the sea, easily repulsed the enemy.

​They also sent for soldiers, missiles, and other useful things for the siege from the Byzantines; since they supplied all these quickly and eagerly, the Cyzicenes recovered their spirits and became courageous in the face of dangers.

​Straightway they also launched long ships, sailed along the coast, and picking up those from the countryside, brought them into the city. Quickly finding themselves well supplied with soldiers and killing many of the besiegers, they repelled the siege. Arrhidaeus, therefore, having been outgeneraled by the Cyzicenes, returned without success to his own satrapy.