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ans turned and fled。 They were driven within their walls and the Persians laid siege to Sardis。 Thus the siege began。 Meanwhile Croesus； thinking that the place would hold out no inconsiderable time； sent off fresh heralds to his allies from the beleaguered town。 His former messengers had been charged to bid them assemble at Sardis in the course of the fifth month； they whom he now sent were to say that he was already besieged； and to beseech them to come to his aid with all possible speed。 Among his other allies Croesus did not omit to send to Lacedaemon。 It chanced； however； that the Spartans were themselves just at this time engaged in a quarrel with the Argives about a place called Thyrea； which was within the limits of Argolis； but had been seized on by the Lacedaemonians。 Indeed； the whole country westward； as far as Cape Malea； belonged once to the Argives； and not only that entire tract upon the mainland； but also Cythera； and the other islands。 The Argives collected troops to resist the seizure of Thyrea； but before any battle was fought； the two parties came to terms； and it was agreed that three hundred Spartans and three hundred Argives should meet and fight for the place； which should belong to the nation with whom the victory rested。 It was stipulated also that the other troops on each side should return home to their respective countries； and not remain to witness the combat； as there was danger； if the armies stayed； that either the one or the other； on seeing their countrymen undergoing defeat； might hasten to their assistance。 These terms being agreed on； the two armies marched off； leaving three hundred picked men on each side to fight for the territory。 The battle began； and so equal were the combatants； that at the close of the day； when night put a stop to the fight； of the whole six hundred only three men remained alive； two Argives； Alcanor and Chromius； and a single Spartan； Othryadas。 The two Argives； regarding themselves as the victors； hurried to Argos。 Othryadas； the Spartan； remained upon the field； and； stripping the bodies of the Argives who had fallen； carried their armour to the Spartan camp。 Next day the two armies returned to learn the result。 At first they disputed； both parties claiming the victory； the one； because they had the greater number of survivors； the other； because their man remained on the field； and stripped the bodies of the slain； whereas the two men of the other side ran away； but at last they fell from words to blows； and a battle was fought； in which both parties suffered great loss； but at the end the Lacedaemonians gained the victory。 Upon this the Argives； who up to that time had worn their hair long； cut it off close； and made a law； to which they attached a curse； binding themselves never more to let their hair grow； and never to allow their women to wear gold； until they should recover Thyrea。 At the same time the Lacedaemonians made a law the very reverse of this； namely； to wear their hair long； though they had always before cut it close。 Othryadas himself； it is said； the sole survivor of the three hundred； prevented by a sense of shame from returning to Sparta after all his comrades had fallen； laid violent hands upon himself in Thyrea。 Although the Spartans were engaged with these matters when the herald arrived from Sardis to entreat them to come to the assistance of the besieged king； yet； notwithstanding； they instantly set to work to afford him help。 They had completed their preparations； and the ships were just ready to start； when a second message informed them that the place had already fallen； and that Croesus was a prisoner。 Deeply grieved at his misfortune； the Spartans ceased their efforts。 The following is the way in which Sardis was taken。 On the fourteenth day of the siege Cyrus bade some horsemen ride about his lines； and make proclamation to the whole army that he would give a reward to the man who should first mount the wall。 After this he made an assault； but without success。 His troops retired； but a certain Mardian； Hyroeades by name； resolved to approach the citadel and attempt it at a place where no guards were ever set。 On this side the rock was so precipitous； and the citadel （as it seemed） so impregnable； that no fear was entertained of its being carried in this place。 Here was the only portion of the circuit round which their old king Meles did not carry the lion which his leman bore to him。 For when the Telmessians had declared that if the lion were taken round the defences； Sardis would be impregnable； and Meles； in consequence； carried it round the rest of the fortress where the citadel seemed open to attack； he scorned to take it round this side； which he looked on as a sheer precipice； and therefore absolutely secure。 It is on that side of the city which faces Mount Tmolus。 Hyroeades； however； having the day before observed a Lydian soldier descend the rock after a helmet that had rolled down from the top； and having seen him pick it up and carry it back； thought over what he had witnessed； and formed his plan。 He climbed the rock himself； and other Persians followed in his track； until a large number had mounted to the top。 Thus was Sardis taken； and given up entirely to pillage。 With respect to Croesus himself； this is what befell him at the taking of the town。 He had a son； of whom I made mention above； a worthy youth； whose only defect was that he was deaf and dumb。 In the days of his prosperity Croesus had done the utmost that be could for him； and among other plans which he had devised； had sent to Delphi to consult the oracle on his behalf。 The answer which he had received from the Pythoness ran thus：…
Lydian； wide…ruling monarch； thou wondrous simple Croesus； Wish not ever to hear in thy palace the voice thou hast prayed for Uttering intelligent sounds。 Far better thy son should be silent！ Ah！ woe worth the day when thine car shall first list to his accents。
When the town was taken； one of the Persians was just going to kill Croesus； not knowing who he was。 Croesus saw the man coming； but under the pressure of his affliction； did not care to avoid the blow； not minding whether or no he died beneath the stroke。 Then this son of his； who was voiceless； beholding the Persian as he rushed towards Croesus； in the agony of his fear and grief burst into speech； and said； 〃Man； do not kill Croesus。〃 This was the first time that he had ever spoken a word； but afterwards he retained the power of speech for the remainder of his life。 Thus was Sardis taken by the Persians； and Croesus himself fell into their hands； after having reigned fourteen years； and been besieged in his capital fourteen days； thus too did Croesus fulfill the oracle； which said that he should destroy a mighty empire by destroying his own。 Then the Persians who had made Croesus prisoner brought him before Cyrus。 Now a vast pile had been raised by his orders； and Croesus； laden with fetters； was placed upon it； and with him twice seven of the sons of the Lydians。 I know not whether Cyrus was minded to make an offering of the to some god or other； or whether he had vowed a vow and was performing it； or whether； as