n or bullet hurled by a slinger failing of its effect. For
the troops of the generals who led the vanguard, and who were inflamed
by the desire of possessing themselves of the treasures which Valens had
so wickedly acquired, were followed closely by others who were vain of
exposing themselves to as much danger as those of greater renown. And
some were wounded almost to death: others were struck down, crushed by
huge weights, or pierced through their breasts with javelins; some who
carried ladders and attempted to scale the walls on different sides were
buried under their own burthens, being beaten down by stones which were
hurled upon them, and by fragments of pillars and cylinders.

13. And yet, horrible as the sight of this bloodshed was, so great was
their ardour that no one relaxed in his gallant exertions till the
evening, being encouraged by seeing many of the garrison also fall by
various wounds. So, without rest or relaxation, both the besiegers and
the besieged fought with unwearied courage.

14. And now no kind of order was observed by the enemy, but they fought
in detached bands and in skirmishes (which is the sign of the extremity
of despair); and at last, when evening came on, they all returned to
their tents, sorrowfully, each man accusing his neighbour of
inconsiderate rashness, because they had not taken the advice of
Fritigern, and avoided the labours and dangers of a siege.

XVI.

Sec. 1. After the battle, the soldiers devoted the whole night (which, as
it was summer, was not long) to tending the wounded with all the
remedies known to their nations, and when daylight returned they began
to discuss various plans, doubting what to do. And after many plans had
been proposed and objected to, they at last decided to occupy Perinthus,
and then, every place where they could hear that any treasures were
stored up, the deserters and fugitives having given them all the
information they required, so that they learnt what was in every house,
to say nothing of what was in every city. Adopting this resolution
unanimously, which they thought the best, they advanced by slow marches,
ravaging and burning everything as they passed.

2. But those who had been besieged in Hadrianople, after the barbarians
had departed, as soon as scouts of approved fidelity had reported that
the whole place was free from enemies, issued forth at midnight, and
avoiding the public causeways, took out-of-way roads through the woods,
a