Titus Livius (Livy), The History of Rome, Book 42
Evan T. Sage, Ph.D. and Alfred C. Schlesinger, Ph.D., Ed.

54. Mylae, the next town, being so fortified that their hope that the defences were impregnable made the inhabitants overbold, considered it insufficient to shut its gates to the king, but also assailed him and the Macedonians with saucy insults. [2] This impertinence both made the enemy more vehement in the attack and fired the citizens, through despair of obtaining pardon, to defend themselves more vigorously. [3] Therefore for three [p. 459]days with great spirit on both sides the city was¹ attacked and defended. The numbers of the Macedonians were easily sufficient to undertake the battle in relays; the townspeople, guarding the walls day and night without relief, were worn out not only by wounds but also by wakefulness and unbroken toil. [4] When on the fourth day ladders were lifted against the walls on all sides and also the gate was attacked with greater violence, the townspeople, after thrusting back the assault on the walls, rallied to guard the gate and made a sudden sally against the enemy; [5] this being more the result of heedless rage than of genuine confidence in their strength, the small number of weary men, routed by fresh opponents, turned tail and in their flight let the enemy in through the open gate. [6] Thus the city was captured and sacked; even the free persons who survived the slaughter were sold. After the town had been in large part torn down and burned, Perseus, departing, moved his camp to Phalanna² and thence on the next day arrived at Gyrton. [7] When he heard that Titus Minucius Rufus and Hippias, general of the Thessalians, had entered that town with a garrison, he passed by without even trying an attack and received the submission of Elatia and Gonnus because the inhabitants were frightened by his unexpected arrival. [8] Both towns are in the narrows by which Tempê is approached, especially Gonnus. Therefore he left this town both protected by a stronger garrison of cavalry and infantry and fortified in addition by a triple ditch and a rampart. [9] He himself having advanced to Sycurium decided to await there the approach of the enemy; at the [p. 461]same time he ordered his army to gather grain³ everywhere in the adjoining hostile territory. For Sycurium is in the foothills of Mount Ossa. [10] This mountain by its southern slope commands the plains of Thessaly, and to the rear, Macedonia and Magnesia. [11] To these advantages of position are added the greatest healthfulness and an abundance of unfailing water, since numerous springs surround it.