32.24
While
the naval forces were thus engaged, the consul encamped before Elatea in
Phocis. He began by inviting the leading citizens to a conference and tried to
induce them to surrender, but they told him that matters were not in their
hands, the king's troops were stronger and more numerous than the
townsmen. On this he proceeded to attack the city on all sides with arms and
siege artillery. After the battering-rams had been brought up, a length of wall
between two towers was thrown down with a terrific crash and roar, leaving
the city exposed. A Roman cohort at once advanced through the opening
thus made, and the defenders leaving their different posts rushed from all
parts of the city to the threatened spot. Whilst the Romans were clambering
over the ruins of the wall others were fixing their scaling-ladders against the
walls which were still standing, and the attention of the enemy being diverted
in one direction, walls in other parts were successfully scaled and the
assailants descended into the city. The noise of the tumult so terrified the
enemy that they left the place which they had been so vigorously defending
and fled every one to the citadel, followed by crowds of non-combatants.
Having thus gained possession of the city, the consul gave it up to plunder.
He then sent a message to those in the citadel promising to spare the lives of
Philip's troops if they gave up their arms, and also to restore to the Elateans
their freedom. When the necessary guarantees had been given, he secured
the citadel after a few days.
