All its schemes were of a vast and gigantic nature.

Across the isthmus, which joins the promontory of Athos to the Thracian continent, a canal was formed--a work of so enormous a labour, that it seems almost to have justified the skepticism of later writers [52], but for the concurrent testimony of Thucydides and Lysias, Plato, Herodotus, and Strabo.
Bridges were also thrown over the river Strymon; the care of provisions was intrusted to the Egyptians and Phoenicians, and stores were deposited in every station that seemed the best adapted for supplies.
V.

While these preparations were carried on, the great king, at the head of his land-forces, marched to Sardis.

Passing the river Halys, and the frontiers of Lydia, he halted at Celaenae.

Here he was magnificently entertained by Pythius, a Lydian, esteemed, next to the king himself, the richest of mankind.