Timber was brought from far and near in carts drawn by mules, ten thousand, it is said, in number. When even this was found not to be enough, Sulla ordered the sacred groves to be cut down, as well as the trees which surrounded the famous academy of Athens. But, in spite of the forts he built and the trenches he dug, Sulla could not take the Peiræus. As they worked, the Roman soldiers were often interrupted by Archelaus, who with his troops would sally out of the citadel to attack them. At length Sulla was convinced that without a fleet he need not hope to take the citadel, for the harbour was commanded by the ships of Mithridates. CHAPTER XCVII SULLA BESIEGES ATHENS The Peiræus could not, indeed, be starved into submission as long as the king held the harbour, but Athens was already suffering from famine. Now the Athenians were a gay and careless people, little accustomed to endure hardships, yet no one grumbled at the lack of food, but each bore his hunger manfully, or tried to stay its pangs as best he could. Some fed on herbs, which they gathered painfully, for they had grown feeble with long fasting. Others hunted for old leather shoes or pieces of oilskin, and when they found them, soaked them in oil, and so made a sorry meal. But while the inhabitants of Athens starved, Aristion, the orator and minister of war, who was largely responsible for the misery of the people, lived at his ease, and ate and drank as much as he pleased. Nor did he feast in secret, but before the eyes of the famished folk, for he was as careless of their sufferings as of his own responsibilities. At length the senators and priests went to the tyrant, for such had Aristion proved, and begged him to make terms with Sulla before the citizens died of hunger. But Aristion did not wish his pleasures interrupted by such solemn messengers. He drove them from his presence, bidding his servants to send a flight of arrows after the procession as it turned sadly away. A little later, however, he appeared to yield to the wishes of the senators, and sent two or three of his gay companions to meet the Roman general. But they had no serious terms to propose, and were not commissioned to accept any. All they seemed able to do, was to talk eloquently about their ancient towns and games, until at length Sulla grew impatient and said: ‘My good friends ... begone. I was sent by the Romans to Athens, not to take lessons, but to reduce rebels to obedience.’ Soon after this, Sulla, by chance, found out how the city might be taken. Two old men were talking to each other of Aristion’s follies, and Sulla overheard them blame him for leaving a certain weak part of the city walls unguarded. The Romans at once set to work to find out the weak spot in the defences, and when it was found an attack was made at that point.