Upon hearing that, the Delphians took thought for themselves. They sent their children and women overseas to +Achaea [21.75,38.25] (department), Peloponnese, Greece, Europe Achaia. Most of the men went up to the peaks of +Parnassus (mountain), Central Greece and Euboea, Greece, Europe Parnassus and carried their goods into the Corycian cave, but some escaped to +Amphissa [22.3833,38.525] (Perseus) Amphissa in +Lokris (region (general)), Central Greece and Euboea, Greece, Europe Locris. In short, all the Delphians left the town save sixty men and the prophet.

Now when the barbarians drew near and could see the temple, the prophet, whose name was Aceratus, saw certain sacred arms, which no man might touch without sacrilege, brought out of the chamber within and laid before the shrine.

So he went to tell the Delphians of this miracle, but when the barbarians came with all speed near to the temple of Athena Pronaea, they were visited by miracles yet greater than the aforesaid. Marvellous indeed it is, that weapons of war should of their own motion appear lying outside in front of the shrine, but the visitation which followed was more wondrous than anything else ever seen.