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Selecting, to accompany them, the whole body of archers, these men
relieved the Megarians, and occupied a post which all the other
Greeks collected at Erythrae had shrunk from holding. After the
struggle had continued for a while, it came to an end on this wise.
As the barbarians continued charging in divisions, the horse of
Masistius, which was in front of the others, received an arrow in his
flank, the pain of which caused him to rear and throw his rider.
Immediately the Athenians rushed upon Masistius as he lay, caught
his horse, and when he himself made resistance, slew him. At first,
however, they were not able to take his life; for his armour hindered
them. He had on a breastplate formed of golden scales, with a scarlet
tunic covering it. Thus the blows, all falling upon his breastplate,
took no effect, till one of the soldiers, perceiving the reason,
drove his weapon into his eye and so slew him. All this took place
without any of the other horsemen seeing it: they had neither observed
their leader fall from his horse, nor beheld him slain; for he fell as
they wheeled round and prepared for another charge, so that they were
quite ignorant of what had happened. When, however, they halted,
and found that there was no one to marshal their line, Masistius was
missed; and instantly his soldiers, understanding what must have
befallen him, with loud cheers charged the enemy in one mass, hoping
to recover the dead body.
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