Page:History of Greece Vol XII.djvu/123

 CAPTURK OF SARDIS AND EPHESUS. 91 garrison, were still trying to invoke aid from Meranon, who how- ever was yet at a distance. Alexander entered the town without resistance, restored the exiles, established a democratical consti- tution, and directed that the tribute heretofore paid to the Per- sians should now be paid to the Ephesian Artemis. Syrphax and his family sought refuge in the temple, from whence they were dragged by the people and stoned to death. More of the same party would have been despatched, had not the popular vengeance been restrained by Alexander; who displayed an honorable and prudent moderation.^ Thus master of Ephesus, Alexander found himself in commu- nication with his fleet, under the command of Nikanor ; and re- ceived propositions of surrender from the two neighboring inland cities. Magnesia and Tralleis. To occupy these cities, he de- spatched PaiTnenio with 5000 foot (half of them Macedonians) and 200 of the Companion-cavalry ; while he at the same time sent Antimachus with an equal force in a northerly direction, to liberate the various cities of -lEolic and Ionic Greeks. This olTi- cer was instructed to put down in each of them the ruling oli- garchy, which acted with a mercenary garrison as an instrument of Persian supremacy — to place the government in the hands of the citizens — and to abolish all payment of tribute. He him- self — after taking part in a solemn festival and procession to the temple of Ephesian Artemis, w^ith his wdiole army in battle array — marched southward towards Miletus; his fleet under Nikanor proceeding thither by sea.^ He expected probably to enter Miletus with as little resistance as Ephesus. But his hopes were disappointed : Hegesistratus, commander of the garrison in that town, though under the immediate terror of the defeat at the Granikus he had written to offer submission, had now altered his tone, and determined to hold out. The formidable Persian fleet ,3 preceded the expedition of Alexander, we have no information : nor are we told who Ileropythus was or under wliat circumstances he Iiad liberated Ephesus. It would have been interesting to know these facts, as illustrating the condition of the Asiatic Greeks previou.5 to Alexander's invasion. • Arrian, i. 17, 10-13. « Arrian, i. 18, 5, 6.- ' Arrian, i. 18, 10-1 3.