Each nation was assigned its place.
The Chionites, burning with the desire to avenge their late defeat, were on the east; the Vertse on the south; the Albanians, warriors from the Caspian region, on the north; the Segestans, who were reckoned the bravest soldiers of all, and who brought into the field a large body of elephants, held the west.

A continuous line of Persians, five ranks deep, surrounded the entire city, and supported the auxiliary detachments.

The entire besieging army was estimated at a hundred thousand men; the besieged, including the unarmed multitude, were under 30,000.

After the pause of an entire day, the first general attack was made.

Grumbates gave the signal for the assault by hurling a bloody spear into the space before the walls, after the fashion of a Roman fetialis.