§42.54.1Mylae, proximum oppidum, ita munitum, ut inexsuperabilis munimenti spes incolas ferociores faceret, non portas claudere regi satis habuerunt, sed probris quoque in ipsum Macedonasque procacibus iaculati sunt.
Mylae, the next town, was so fortified that the hope of an insurmountable defense made the inhabitants more insolent; they did not deem it sufficient to close the gates against the king, but also hurled provocative insults at him and the Macedonians.
§42.54.2quae res cum infestiorem hostem ad oppugnandum fecisset, ipsos desperatione veniae ad tuendos sese acrius accendit.
While this circumstance made the enemy more eager for the assault, it also inflamed the inhabitants themselves more fiercely to defend themselves through despair of pardon.
§42.54.3itaque per triduum ingentibus utrimque animis et oppugnata est urbs et defensa.
And so, for three days, with great spirit on both sides, the city was both assaulted and defended.
multitudo Macedonum ad subeundum in vicem proelium haud difficulter suppetebat; oppidanos, diem noctem eosdem tuentis moenia, non vulnera modo, sed etiam vigiliae et continens labor conficiebat.
The multitude of the Macedonians was available without difficulty to enter the battle in turn; but the townspeople, defending the walls day and night with the same men, were worn out not only by wounds but also by lack of sleep and continuous labor.
§42.54.4quarto die cum et scalae undique ad muros erigerentur et porta vi maiore oppugnaretur, oppidani depulsa vi muris ad portam tuendam concurrunt eruptionemque repentinam in hostis faciunt; §42.54.5quae cum irae magis inconsultae quam verae fiduciae virium esset, pauci et fessi ab integris pulsi terga dederunt fugientes que per patentem portam hostes acceperunt.
On the fourth day, when ladders were being raised against the walls on all sides and the gate was being attacked with greater force, the townspeople, having repulsed the force from the walls, ran together to defend the gate and made a sudden sally against the enemy; since this sally was of unthinking anger rather than of true confidence in their strength, the few and weary were repulsed by the fresh troops and fled, admitting the enemy through the open gate in their flight.
§42.54.6ita capta urbs ac direpta est; libera quoque corpora, quae caedibus superfuerunt, venum data.
Thus the city was captured and plundered; the free persons also, who survived the slaughter, were sold.
diruto magna ex parte et incenso oppido profectus ad Phalannam castra movit, inde postero die Gyrtonem pervenit.
Having destroyed a great part of the town and burned it, he set out and moved camp to Phalanna, and from there reached Gyrton on the following day.
§42.54.7quo cum T. Minucium Rufum et Hippiam, Thessalorum praetorem, cum praesidio intrasse accepisset, ne temptata quidem oppugnatione praetergressus, Elatiam et Gonnum perculsis inopinato adventu oppidanis recepit.
When he heard that T. Minucius Rufus and Hippias, the praetor of the Thessalians, had entered it with a garrison, he passed by without even attempting an assault, and received Elatia and Gonnus, the townspeople being panic-stricken by his unexpected arrival.
§42.54.8utraque oppida in faucibus sunt, qua Tempe adeuntur, magis Gonnus.
Both towns are in the pass where Tempe is approached, Gonnus more so.
itaque et firmiore id praesidio tutum equitum peditumque, ad hoc fossa triplici ac vallo munitum reliquit.
Therefore, he left it secured by a stronger garrison of cavalry and infantry, and additionally fortified with a triple ditch and rampart.
§42.54.9ipse ad Sycurium progressus opperiri ibi hostium adventum statuit; simul et frumentari passim exercitum iubet in subiecto hostium agro.
He himself, having advanced to Sycurium, decided to wait there for the arrival of the enemy; at the same time, he ordered the army to forage far and wide in the enemy's territory lying below.
§42.54.10namque Sycurium est sub radicibus Ossae montis.
For Sycurium is at the foot of Mount Ossa.
is, qua in meridiem vergit, subiectos habet Thessaliae campos, ab tergo Macedoniam atque Magnesiam.
This mountain, where it slopes to the south, has the plains of Thessaly lying below it, and Macedonia and Magnesia at its back.
§42.54.11ad has opportunitates accedit summa salubritas et copia pluribus circumiectis fontibus perennium aquarum.
To these advantages was added the greatest wholesomeness and an abundance of water from many surrounding perennial springs.