opinion did not prevail; but they resolved that the Persians rather
than themselves should have the Maiander at their backs, evidently[92]
in order that if there should be a flight of the Persians and they
should be worsted in the battle, they might never return home, but
might fall into the river. 119. After this, when the Persians had come
and had crossed the Maiander, the Carians engaged with the Persians on
the river Marsyas and fought a battle which was obstinately contested
and lasted long; but at length they were worsted by superior numbers:
and of the Persians there fell as many as two thousand, but of the
Carians ten thousand. Then those of them who escaped were shut up in
Labraunda[93] within the sanctuary of Zeus Stratios, which is a large
sacred grove of plane-trees; now the Carians are the only men we know
who offer sacrifices to Zeus Stratios. These men then, being shut up
there, were taking counsel together about their safety, whether they
would fare better if they delivered themselves over to the Persians or
if they left Asia altogether. 120. And while they were thus taking
counsel, there came to their aid the Milesians and their allies. Then
the Carians dismissed the plans which they were before considering and
prepared to renew the war again from the beginning: and when the
Persians came to attack them, they engaged with them and fought a
battle, and they were worsted yet more completely than before; and
while many were slain of all parties,[94] the Milesians suffered most.
121. Then afterwards the Carians repaired this loss and retrieved
their defeat; for being informed that the Persians had set forth to
march upon their cities, they laid an ambush on the road which is by
Pedasos,[95] and the Persians falling into it by night were destroyed
both they and their commanders, namely Daurises and Amorges and
Sisimakes; and with them died also Myrsos the son of Gyges. Of this
ambush the leader was Heracleides the son of Ibanollis, a man of
Mylasa.