Provisions no doubt ran short, since, as there had been no expectation of a disaster, no preparations had been made for standing a siege.

The Greek inhabitants of the place could not be trusted to exhibit fidelity to a falling cause.

Moreover, Armenia was near; and the Parthian system of abstaining from action during the night seemed to render escape tolerably easy.

It was resolved, therefore, instead of clinging to the protection of the walls, to issue forth once more, and to endeavor by a rapid night march to reach the Armenian hills.

The various officers seem to have been allowed to arrange matters for themselves.