t the emperor, by detaching
troops under Victor to make a long circuit, cross the canal far to the
east, recall Lucilianus with the vanguard, and then attack the surena's
troops in the rear, was able to overcome the resistance in his front,
and carry his army across the cutting.

Having in this way effected the passage, Julian continued his march
along the Euphrates, and in a short time came to the city of Perisabor
(Mruz Shapur), the most important that he had yet reached, and reckoned
not much inferior to Otesiphon. As the inhabitants steadily refused all
accommodation, and insulted Hormisdas, who was sent to treat with
them, by the reproach that he was a deserter and a traitor, the emperor
determined to form the siege of the place and see if he could not
compel it to a surrender. Situated between the Euphrates and one of the
numerous canals derived from it, and further protected by a trench drawn
across from the canal to the river, Perisabor occupied a sort of island,
while at the same time it was completely surrounded with a double wall.
The citadel, which lay towards the north, and overhung the Euphrates,
was especially strong; and the garrison was brave, numerous, and full
of confidence. The walls, however, composed in part of brick laid in
bitumen, were not of much strength; and the Roman soldiers found little
difficulty in shattering with the ram one of the corner towers, and so
making an entrance into the place. But the real struggle now began.
The brave defenders retreated into the citadel, which was of imposing
height, and from this vantage-ground galled the Romans in the town with
an incessant shower of arrows, darts, and stones. The ordinary catapults
and balistae of the Romans were no match for such a storm descending
from such a height; and it was plainly necessary, if the place was to be
taken, to have recourse to some other device. Julian, therefore, who was
never sparing of his own person, took the resolution, on the second day
of the siege, of attempting to burst open one of the gates. Accompanied
by a small band, who formed a roof over his head with their shields,
and by a few sappers with their tools, he approached the gate-tower, and
made his men commence their operations. The doors, however, were found
to be protected with iron, and the fastenings to be so strong that
no immediate impression could be made; while the alarmed garrison,
concentrating its attention on the threatened spot, kept up a fur