While this was taking place Demetrius, getting wind of the Romans\' purpose, at once sent a considerable garrison to <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Dimale&groupId=539&placeId=1014">Dimale</a> with the supplies requisite for such a force. In the other cities he made away with those who opposed his policy and placed the government in the hands of his friends
while he himself, selecting six thousand of his bravest troops, quartered them at <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Pharos&groupId=879&placeId=1586">Pharos</a>.
The Roman Consul, on reaching <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Illyria&groupId=647&placeId=1186">Illyria</a> with his army and observing that the enemy were very confident in the natural strength of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Dimale&groupId=539&placeId=1014">Dimale</a> and the measures they had taken for its defence, there being also a general belief that it was impregnable, decided to attack it first, wishing to strike terror into them.
Having given instructions to his officers and erected batteries in several places he began to besiege it.
By capturing it in seven days, he at one blow broke the spirit of all the enemy,
so that from every city they at once flocked to surrender themselves unconditionally to <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a>.
Having accepted their submission and imposed suitable conditions on each he sailed to <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Pharos&groupId=879&placeId=1586">Pharos</a> to attack Demetrius himself.
Learning that the city was very strong, that a large force of exceptionally fine troops was assembled within it and that it was excellently furnished with supplies and munitions of war, he was apprehensive that the siege might prove difficult and long.
In view of this, therefore, he employed the following impromptu stratagem.
Sailing up to the island at night with his whole force he disembarked the greater part of it in certain well-wooded dells,
and at daybreak with twenty ships sailed openly against the harbour which lies nearest to the town.
Demetrius, seeing the ships and contemptuous of their small number, sallied from the city down to the harbour to prevent the enemy from landing. On his encountering them
Walbank Commentary