sound; nor was even the neigh of a horse heard; and the men
having withdrawn in the same order as they had advanced, after
refreshing themselves with food and sleep, even before the dawn,
returned, led by the clang of brazen trumpets, to surround the city, as
if fated to fall with their terrible ring.

6. And scarcely had Grumbates, like a Roman fecial, hurled at us a spear
stained with blood, according to his native fashion, than the whole
army, rattling their arms, mounted up to the walls, and instantly the
tumult of war grew fierce, while all the squadrons hastened with speed
and alacrity to the attack, and our men on their side opposed them with
equal fierceness and resolution.

7. Soon many of the enemy fell with their heads crushed by vast stones
hurled from scorpions, some were pierced with arrows, others were
transfixed with javelins, and strewed the ground with their bodies;
others, wounded, fled back in haste to their comrades.

8. Nor was there less grief or less slaughter in the city, where the
cloud of arrows obscured the air, and the vast engines, of which the
Persians had got possession when they took Singara, scattered wounds
everywhere.

9. For the garrison, collecting all their forces, returning in constant
reliefs to the combat, in their eagerness to defend the city, fell
wounded, to the hindrance of their comrades, or, being sadly torn as
they fell, threw down those who stood near them, or if still alive,
sought the aid of those skilful in extracting darts which had become
fixed in their bodies.

10. So slaughter was met by slaughter, and lasted till the close of day,
being scarcely stopped by the darkness of evening, so great was the
obstinacy with which both sides fought.

11. And the watches of the night were passed under arms, and the hills
resounded with the shouts raised on both sides, while our men extolled
the valour of Constantius Caesar as lord of the empire and of the world,
and the Persians styled Sapor Saansas and Pyroses, which appellations
mean king of kings, and conqueror in wars.

12. The next morning, before daybreak, the trumpet gave the signal, and
countless numbers from all sides flocked like birds to a contest of
similar violence; and in every direction, as far as the eye could reach,
nothing could be seen in the plains and valleys but the glittering arms
of these savage nations.

13. And presently a shout was raised, and as the enemy rushed forward
all at once, they w