down towards the river, the young Akrotatus perceiving the danger, sallied out from the city at another point with three hundred men, and got round behind Ptolemy’s force, from whom he was concealed by some hilly ground.  Then he vigorously assailed the Gauls in the rear, and forced them to face about and defend themselves, which caused great confusion, as they were driven among the waggons and into the ditch by the Spartans until at last they were forced to retreat.  This glorious exploit of Akrotatus was witnessed from the city walls by the old men and all the women.  As he returned through the city to his appointed post, covered with blood and rejoicing in his victory, the Spartan women thought that he had grown taller and more handsome than before, and they envied Chilonis her lover.  Some of the old men even followed him, shouting, “Go home, Akrotatus, and enjoy yourself with Chilonis:  only beget brave sons for Sparta.”  Where Pyrrhus fought a terrible battle took place, and many valiant deeds were wrought.  A Spartan named Phyllius, after greatly distinguishing himself and slaying many of the assailants, when he felt himself mortally wounded, made way for his rear rank-man to take his place, and died inside the line of shields, in order that his corpse might not fall into the hands of the enemy.

XXIX.  The battle ceased at night, and during his sleep Pyrrhus dreamed a dream, that he cast thunderbolts upon Lacedaemon, set it all on fire, and rejoiced at the sight.  Being awakened by his delight at this vision, he ordered his officers to hold the troops in readiness and related the dream to his friends, auguring from it that he should take the city by assault.  They were all of them delighted at the vision, and certain that it portended success, except one Lysimachus, who said that he feared that, as places struck by thunderbolts may not be walked over, Heaven might mean to signify to Pyrrhus by this that he never should set foot in the city.  Pyrrhus however answered that this was mere empty gossip, and that they had better take their arms in their hands and remember that

     “The best of omens is King Pyrrhus’s cause."[49]

He rose, and at daybreak led his troops again to the assault.  The Lacedaemonians defended themselves with a spirit and courage beyond what could be expected from their small numbers.  The women mingled in the thick of the fight, supplying food, drink, and missile weapons wherever they were needed, and carrying away the wounded.  The Macedonians endeavoured to fill up the ditch by flinging large quantities of wood into it, covering the arms and dead bodies which lay at the bottom.  As the Lacedaemonians were resisting this attempt, they saw Pyrrhus on horseback trying to cross the line of waggons and the ditch, and force his way into the city.  A shout was raised by the garrison at the spot, and the women began to scream and run wildly about.  Pyrrhus had made his way through all obstacles and was about to attack