ersians, under the command of Tamsapor and
Nohodares, passed without any one perceiving them, and fully armed as
they were, concealed themselves behind the high ground in the
neighbourhood of Amida.

4. Presently, when (as has been said) we started before daybreak on our
march to Samosata, our advanced guard, on reaching a high spot which
commanded a more distant view, was suddenly alarmed by the glitter of
shining arms; and cried out in a hurried manner that the enemy were at
hand. Upon this the signal for battle was given, and we halted in a
solid column, never thinking of fleeing, since, indeed, those who would
have pursued us were in sight; nor to engage in battle with an enemy
superior to us in numbers, and especially in cavalry; but seeing the
necessity for caution in the danger of certain death which lay before
us.

5. At last, when it seemed clear that a battle could not be avoided, and
while we were still hesitating what to do, some of our men rashly
advanced as skirmishers, and were slain. And then, as each side pressed
onwards, Antoninus, ambitiously marching in front of the enemy, was
recognized by Ursicinus, and addressed by him in a tone of reproach, and
called a traitor and a scoundrel; till at last, taking off the tiara
which he wore on his head as a badge of honour, he dismounted from his
horse, and bending down till his face nearly touched the ground, he
saluted the Roman general, calling him patron and master; and holding
his hands behind his back, which among the Assyrians is a gesture of
supplication, he said, "Pardon me, most noble count, who have been
driven to this guilt by necessity, not by my own will. My creditors, as
you know, drove me headlong into it: men whose avarice even your high
authority, which tried to support me in my distress, could not
overcome." Having said this, he withdrew without turning his back upon
him, but retiring backwards in a respectful manner, with his face
towards him.

6. And while this was taking place, which did not occupy above half an
hour, our second rank, which occupied the higher ground, cried out that
another body of cuirassiers appeared behind, and was coming on with
great speed.

7. And then, as is often the case at critical moments, doubting which
enemy we ought, or even could resist, and being pressed on all sides by
an overwhelming mass, we dispersed in every direction, each fleeing
where he could. And while every one was trying to extricate himsel