1While he was preparing the army with the greatest zeal and getting ready to set out for Egypt, a letter was suddenly sent to him by the king, ordering him to attack Aspis, who held Cataonia: this people lies above Cilicia, bordering on Cappadocia. 2For Aspis, who inhabited a wooded region fortified with strongholds, not only refused to obey the king's authority but also harried the neighbouring regions and carried off whatever was being conveyed to the king. 3Although Datames was far away from those regions and was being drawn away from a greater undertaking, he nevertheless thought that he must comply with the king's wishes. 3And so he boarded a ship with a few men, but brave ones, reckoning, as in fact happened, that he would more easily overpower an unsuspecting man with a small force than a prepared one with however large an army.
4Carried by it to Cilicia, he landed there, and marching day and night he crossed the Taurus and arrived at the place he had been making for. 4He asks where Aspis is: he learns that he is not far away and has gone out hunting. 4While he is watching for him, the reason for his arrival becomes known. 4Aspis prepares the Pisidians, together with those he had with him, to resist. 5When Datames heard this, he takes up arms and orders his men to follow; 5he himself rides at the enemy on a galloping horse. 5Aspis, seeing him from afar bearing down on him, is terrified and, frightened out of his attempt at resistance, surrendered himself.
5Datames hands him over in chains to Mithridates, to be taken to the king.