VII After his death, while the army under his successors 49
was engaged in an expedition in other parts, a
neighboring tribe attempted to carry off women of the
Goths as booty. But they made a brave resistance, as
they had been taught to do by their husbands, and routed
in disgrace the enemy who had come upon them. When
they had won this victory, they were inspired with greater
daring. Mutually encouraging each other, they took up
arms and chose two of the bolder, Lampeto and Marpesia,
to act as their leaders. While they were in command, 50
they cast lots both for the defense of their own country
and the devastation of other lands. So Lampeto remained
to guard their native land and Marpesia took a company
of women and led this novel army into Asia. After conquering
various tribes in war and making others their
allies by treaties, she came to the Caucasus. There she
remained for some time and gave the place the name Rock
of Marpesia, of which also Virgil makes mention:

"Like to hard flint or the Marpesian Cliff."

It was here Alexander the Great afterwards built gates
and named them the Caspian Gates, which now the tribe
of the Lazi guard as a Roman fortification. Here, then, 51
the Amazons remained for some time and were much
strengthened. Then they departed and crossed the river
Halys, which flows near the city of Gangra, and with
equal success subdued Armenia, Syria, Cilicia, Galatia,
Pisidia and all the places of Asia. Then they turned to
Ionia and Aeolia, and made provinces of them after their