DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4376#0067
HISTORY OF CAEIA. 51
unscrupulous despot, like most of the satraps, his
contemporaries. In the dialogue already referred
to, in which Lucian introduces him, he describes
himself as a tall and handsome man, and formidable
in war.
Artemisia only reigned two years. Of the facts
of her reign we know but little; but she seems to
have swayed the sceptre of Mausolus with a vigorous
hand. Vitruvius'1 has recorded the remarkable
stratagem by which she destroyed the fleet of the
Hhodians, and became mistress of that island. It
is probable that this took place immediately after
the death of Mausolus. The Hhodians, who, as we
are told, were indignant that all Caria should be
subject to a woman, and who, probably, underrated
their adversary, fitted out a naval expedition against
Halicarnassus. On receiving intelligence of this
danger, Artemisia got her fleet completely ready
for action, and concealed it in the smaller or closed
harbour, which, as we know from Vitruvius, was
completely withdrawn from view. She then manned
the city walls with the remainder of the inhabitants.
The Rhodian fleet was allowed to enter the great
harbour without any resistance; the citizens on the
walls received the enemy with cheers, and made a
feigned offer of betraying the town if the Hhodians
would leave their ships and come within the gates.
Deceived by this stratagem, they entered the
town without suspicion; when Artemisia, suddenly
sallying forth with her fleet through a canal into
i Vitr. ii. 8.
E 2
unscrupulous despot, like most of the satraps, his
contemporaries. In the dialogue already referred
to, in which Lucian introduces him, he describes
himself as a tall and handsome man, and formidable
in war.
Artemisia only reigned two years. Of the facts
of her reign we know but little; but she seems to
have swayed the sceptre of Mausolus with a vigorous
hand. Vitruvius'1 has recorded the remarkable
stratagem by which she destroyed the fleet of the
Hhodians, and became mistress of that island. It
is probable that this took place immediately after
the death of Mausolus. The Hhodians, who, as we
are told, were indignant that all Caria should be
subject to a woman, and who, probably, underrated
their adversary, fitted out a naval expedition against
Halicarnassus. On receiving intelligence of this
danger, Artemisia got her fleet completely ready
for action, and concealed it in the smaller or closed
harbour, which, as we know from Vitruvius, was
completely withdrawn from view. She then manned
the city walls with the remainder of the inhabitants.
The Rhodian fleet was allowed to enter the great
harbour without any resistance; the citizens on the
walls received the enemy with cheers, and made a
feigned offer of betraying the town if the Hhodians
would leave their ships and come within the gates.
Deceived by this stratagem, they entered the
town without suspicion; when Artemisia, suddenly
sallying forth with her fleet through a canal into
i Vitr. ii. 8.
E 2