The people of Chios possessed themselves of Leuconia upon this
occasion following. A certain famous man of the nobles of Chios was
married; whilst the bride was drawn in her chariot, King Hippoclus,
an intimate friend of the bridegroom’s, being present with the rest,
and also fuddled and merry, leaped into the chariot, not designing any
incivility, but only to keep up the usual custom and to make sport.
However, the bridegroom’s friends slew him. The effects of divine
displeasure appearing against the people of Chios, and the oracle
commanding them to slay the slayers of Hippoclus, they replied, We have
all of us slain Hippoclus. The oracle commanded them all therefore
to depart the city, if all did partake of the guilt. So that at
length the principals, accessories, and abettors of the murder by any
means whatsoever, being not a few in number nor feeble for strength,
transplanted themselves into Leuconia, which the Chians had once
taken from the Coroneans by the aid of the Erythraeans. Afterward a
war arising between them and the Erythraeans, by far the most potent
people among the Ionians, when the latter invaded Leuconia, the men of
Chios were not able to defend themselves, and came to an agreement to
depart upon these terms, that every one should take with him only one
cloak and one coat, and nothing else. But the women of Chios upbraided
them as mean-spirited men, that they would lay down their weapons and
go naked men through their enemies. And when they made answer that
they were sworn so to do, they charged them not to leave their weapons
behind them, but to say to their adversaries, that the spear is a cloak
and the buckler a coat to every man of courage. The men of Chios being
persuaded to these things, and emboldening themselves courageously
against the Erythraeans, and showing their weapons, the Erythraeans
were amazed at their audacity, and none opposed or hindered them, but
were glad of their departure. These men therefore, being taught courage
by the women in this manner, made a safe escape.
Many years after this there was another exploit, nothing inferior
to this in fortitude, performed by the women of Chios. When Philip,
the son of Demetrius, besieged the city, he set forth a barbarous
and insolent proclamation, inviting the servants to a defection upon
promise of liberty and marriage of their mistresses, saying that he
would give them their masters’ wives into their possession. At this the
women were dreadfully and outrageously incensed; and also the servants
were no less provoked to indignation, and were ready to assist.
Therefore they rushed forth furiously and ascended the wall, bringing
stones and darts, encouraging and animating the soldiers; so that in
the end these women discomfited and repulsed the enemy, and caused
Philip to raise his siege, while not so much as one servant fell off to
him.