Histories

When the Ionians had come to +Ephesus [27.316,37.916] (deserted settlement), Izmir Ili, Ege kiyilari, Turkey, Asia Ephesus with this force, they left their ships at Coresus [*](A hill (or a part of the town of +Ephesus [27.316,37.916] (deserted settlement), Izmir Ili, Ege kiyilari, Turkey, Asia Ephesus built thereon) south of the Cayster.) in the Ephesian territory and marched inland with a great host, taking Ephesians to guide them on their way. They made their way along the river Bakir Cayi [27,38.916] (river), Turkey, AsiaCaicus, and after crossing the Tmolus, they came to Sardis [28.0167,38.475] (Perseus) Sardis and captured it without any resistance. They took all of it except the citadel, which was held by Artaphrenes himself with a great force of men.

They were prevented from plundering the city by the fact that most of the houses in Sardis [28.0167,38.475] (Perseus) Sardis were made of reeds, and those made of brick had roofs of reeds. Accordingly, when one of these was seton fire by a soldier, the flames spread from house to house all over the whole city.

While the city was burning, the Lydians and all the Persians who were in the citadel, being hemmed in on every side since the fire was consuming the outer parts and having no exit from the city, came thronging into the marketplace and to the river Pactolus, which flows through the marketplace carrying down gold dust from Tmolus and issues into the river Hermus, which in turn issues into the sea. They assembled in the marketplace by this Pactolus and were forced to defend themselves there.