ort as it was, to receive an important
reinforcement from the Ethiopians in the neighbourhood.

38. Then having assembled all their united forces, they rushed on to
battle with threatening shouts, and an utter disregard of their
individual safety, compelling him to retreat, full of consternation at
the apparently countless numbers of their army. But soon the courage of
his men revived, and he returned, bringing with him vast supplies, and
with his troops in a dense column, and brandishing their shields with
formidable gestures, he again engaged the enemy in close combat.

39. The barbarians rattled their arms in a savage manner, and our
battalions, with equal rage, pushed on, they also rattling their shields
against their knees. Still the general, like a cautious and prudent
warrior, aware of the scantiness of his numbers, advanced boldly with
his army in battle array, till he came to a point, at which he turned
off, though still preserving an undaunted front, towards the city of
Contensis, where Firmus had placed the prisoners whom he had taken from
us, as in a remote and safe fortress. He recovered them all, and
inflicted severe punishment, according to his custom, on the traitors
among the prisoners, and also on the guards of Firmus.

40. While he was thus successful, through the protection of the Supreme
Deity, he received correct intelligence from one of his scouts that
Firmus had fled to the tribe of the Isaflenses. He at once entered their
territory to require that he should be given up, with his brother
Mazuca, and the rest of his relations: and on being refused, he declared
war against the nation.

41. And after a fierce battle, in which the barbarians displayed
extraordinary courage and ferocity, he threw his army into a solid
circle; and then the Isaflenses were so completely overpowered by the
weight of our battalions pressing on them that numbers were slain; and
Firmus himself, gallantly as he behaved, after exposing himself to
imminent danger by the rashness of his courage, put spurs to his horse,
and fled; his horse being accustomed to make his way with great speed
over the most rocky and precipitous paths. But his brother Mazuca was
taken prisoner, mortally wounded.

42. It was intended to send him to Caesarea, where he had left behind him
many records of his atrocious cruelties; but his wounds reopened, and he
died. So his head was cut off, and (his body being left behind) was
conveyed to that city