e within the defences of Ctesiphon. The example thus
set was universally followed; and the entire Persian army, abandoning
its camp and baggage, rushed in the wildest confusion across the plain
to the nearest of the city gates, closely pursued by its active foe up
to the very foot of the walls. The Roman writers assert that Ctesiphon
might have been entered and taken, had not the general, Victor, who was
wounded by a dart from a catapult, recalled his men as they were about
to rush in through the open gateway. It is perhaps doubtful whether
success would really have crowned such audacity. At any rate the
opportunity passed--the runaways entered the town--the gate closed upon
them; and Ctesiphon was safe unless it were reduced by the operations of
a regular siege.

But the fruits of the victory were still considerable. The entire
Persian army collected hitherto for the defence of Ctesiphon had been
defeated by one-third of the Roman force under Julian. The vanquished
had left 2,500 men dead upon the field, while the victors had lost no
more than seventy-five. A rich spoil had fallen into the hands of the
Romans, who found in the abandoned camp couches and tables of massive
silver, and on the bodies of the slain, both men and horses, a profusion
of gold and silver ornaments, besides trappings and apparel of great
magnificence. A welcome supply of provisions was also furnished by the
lands and houses in the neighborhood of Ctesiphon; and the troops passed
from a state of privation to one of extreme abundance, so that it was
feared lest they might suffer from excess.

Affairs had now reached a point when it was necessary to form a definite
resolution as to what should be the further aim and course of the
expedition. Hitherto all had indicated an intention on the part of
Julian to occupy Ctesiphon, and thence dictate a peace. His long march,
his toilsome canal-cutting, his orders to his second army, his crossing
of the Tigris, his engagement with the Persians in the plain before
Ctesiphon, were the natural steps conducting to such a result, and are
explicable on one hypothesis and one hypothesis only. He must up to this
time have designed to make himself master of the great city, which
had been the goal of so many previous invasions, and had always fallen
whenever Rome attacked it. But, having overcome all the obstacles in his
path, and having it in his power at once to commence the siege, a sudden
doubt appears to have ass