that the air and the water, becoming tainted by the
smell of corpses, and similar things, takes away the healthiness of a
place, or at all events that the sudden change of temperature brings
forth slighter sicknesses.

6. Some again affirm that the air becomes heavier by emanations from the
earth, and kills some individuals by checking the perspiration of the
body, for which reason we learn from Homer, that, besides men, the other
living creatures also died; and we know by many instances, that in such
plagues this does occur.

7. Now the first species of pestilence is called pandemic; this causes
those who live in dry places to be attacked by frequent heats. The
second is called epidemic, which gets gradually more violent, dims the
sight of the eyes, and awakens dangerous humours. The third is called
loemodes,[104] which is also temporary, but still often kills with
great rapidity.

8. We were attacked by this deadly pestilence from the excessive heat,
which our numbers aggravated, though but few died: and at last, on the
night after the tenth day from the first attack, the heavy and dense air
was softened by a little rain, and the health of the garrison was
restored and preserved.

V.

Sec. 1. In the mean time the restless Persians were surrounding the city
with a fence of wicker-work, and mounds were commenced; lofty towers
also were constructed with iron fronts, in the top of each of which a
balista was placed, in order to drive down the garrison from the
battlements; but during the whole time the shower of missiles from the
archers and slingers never ceased for a moment.

2. We had with us two of the legions which had served under Magnentius,
and which, as we have said, had lately been brought from Gaul, composed
of brave and active men well adapted for conflicts in the plain; but not
only useless for such a kind of war as that by which we were now
pressed, but actually in the way. For as they had no skill either in
working the engines, or in constructing works, but were continually
making foolish sallies, and fighting bravely, they always returned with
diminished numbers; doing just as much good, as the saying is, as a
bucket of water brought by a single hand to a general conflagration.

3. At last, when the gates were completely blocked, and they were
utterly unable to get out, in spite of the entreaties of their tribunes,
they became furious as wild beasts. But on subsequent occasions their
services be