The Histories

​Those that fought in the most distinguished manner were three quinqueremes of the Rhodians: the flagship on which Theophiliscos sailed, next after this the one of which Philostratos was trierarch, and thirdly the one which Autolycos steered and on which Nicostratos was embarked.

​For when this latter vessel rammed an enemy ship and left its ram inside her hull, it came about indeed that the stricken ship sank with all hands, while Autolycos and his men—as the sea was flowing into their ship through the prow and they were surrounded by the enemy—at first fought bravely, ​but in the end Autolycos, having been wounded, fell into the sea with his armor, and the remaining marines died fighting courageously. At this juncture, Theophiliscos, ​having come to their assistance with three quinqueremes, was unable to save the ship because it was full of water, but after disabling two enemy ships, he drove off their marines.

​But when more lembi and decked ships quickly swarmed around him, he lost most of his marines, who had fought with distinction. ​Having himself received three wounds and hazarded his life with reckless daring, he barely saved his own ship, thanks to Philostratos who came to his aid and shared the pressing danger with high courage.

​Joining his own vessels once more, he engaged the enemy again with another onset, being disabled in physical strength by his wounds, but in the nobility of his soul being more splendid and resolute than before.

​Now it happened that two sea fights took place at a great distance from one another; for Philip’s right wing, always making for the land according to their original intention, was not far from Asia, ​while the left, having turned back to bring assistance to those in the rear, was fighting the Rhodians at no great distance from Chios.