Histories

The Athenians came with their twenty ships as well as five triremes of the Eretrians who came to the war to please not the Athenians but the Milesians themselves, thereby repaying their debt (for the Milesians had once been the allies of the Eretrians in the war against +Chalcis [23.6083,38.4667] (Perseus) Chalcis, when the Samians came to aid the Chalcidians against the Eretrians and Milesians). When these, then, and the rest of the allies had arrived, Aristagoras planned a march against Sardis [28.0167,38.475] (Perseus) Sardis.

He himself did not go with the army but remained at Miletus [27.3,37.5] (Perseus) Miletus, and appointed others to be generals of the Milesians, namely his own brother Charopinus and another citizen named Hermophantus.

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.