earance, numbering at least 1100 vessels, of which fifty were
ships of war, fifty prepared to serve as pontoons, and the remaining
thousand, transports laden with provisions, weapons, and military
engines.

From Callinicus the emperor marched along the course of the Euphrates
to Circusium, or Circesium, at the junction of the Khabour with the
Euphrates, arriving at this place early in April. Thus far he had been
marching through his own dominions, and had had no hostility to dread.
Being now about to enter the enemy's country, he made arrangements for
the march which seem to have been extremely judicious. The cavalry was
placed under the command of Arinthseus and Prince Hormisdas, and was
stationed at the extreme left, with orders to advance on a line parallel
with the general course of the river. Some picked legions under the
command of Nevitta formed the right wing, and, resting on the Euphrates,
maintained communication with the fleet. Julian, with the main part of
his troops, occupied the space intermediate between these two extremes,
marching in a loose column which from front to rear covered a distance
of above nine miles. A flying corps of fifteen hundred men acted as an
avant-guard under Count Lucilianus, and explored the country in advance,
feeling on all sides for the enemy. The rear was covered by a detachment
under Secundinus, Duke of Osrhoene, Dagalaiphus, and Victor.

Having made his dispositions, and crossed the broad stream of the
Khabour, on the 7th of April, by a bridge of boats, which he immediately
broke up, Julian continued his advance along the course of the
Euphrates, supported by his fleet, which was not allowed either to
outstrip or to lag behind the army. The first halt was at Zaitha, famous
as the scene of the murder of Gordian, whose tomb was in its vicinity.
Here Julian encouraged his soldiers by an eloquent speech, in which he
recounted the past successes of the Roman arms, and promised them an
easy victory over their present adversary. He then, in a two days'
march, reached Dura, a ruined city, destitute of inhabitants, on the
banks of the river; from which a march of four days more brought him
to Anathan, the modern Anah, a strong fortress on an island in the
mid-stream, which was held by a Persian garrison. An attempt to surprise
the place by a night attack having failed, Julian had recourse to
persuasion, and by the representations of Prince Hormisdas induced its
defenders to surrender