l being protected by
fences and penthouses while seeking a way to assail the foundation of
the walls.

4. Against these attempts the citizens, standing on the lofty
battlements, drove back with stones and every kind of missile the
assailants who were seeking with great ferocity to find an entrance.

5. For many days the struggle continued without any decided result, many
being wounded and killed on both sides. At last, the struggle growing
fiercer, one day on the approach of evening a very heavy battering-ram
was brought forward among other engines, which battered a round tower
with repeated blows, at a point where we mentioned that the city had
been laid open in a former siege.

6. The citizens at once repaired to this point, and a violent conflict
arose in this small space; torches and firebrands were brought from all
quarters to consume this formidable engine, while arrows and bullets
were showered down without cessation on the assailants. But the keenness
of the ram prevailed over every means of defence, digging through the
mortar of the recently cemented stones, which was still moist and
unsettled.

7. And while the contest was thus proceeding with fire and sword, the
tower fell, and a path was opened into the city, the place being
stripped of its defenders, whom the magnitude of the danger had
scattered. The Persian bands raised a wild shout, and without hindrance
filled every quarter of the city. A very few of the inhabitants were
slain, and all the rest, by command of Sapor, were taken alive and
transported to the most distant regions of Persia.

8. There had been assigned for the protection of this city two legions,
the first Flavian and the first Parthian, and a great body of native
troops, as well as a division of auxiliary cavalry which had been shut
up in it through the suddenness of the attack made upon it. All of
these, as I have said, were taken prisoners, without receiving any
assistance from our armies.

9. For the greater part of our army was in tents taking care of Nisibis,
which was at a considerable distance. But even if it had not been so, no
one even in ancient times could easily bring aid to Singara when in
danger, since the whole country around laboured under a scarcity of
water. And although a former generation had placed this fort very
advisedly, to check sudden movements of hostility, yet it was a great
burden to the state, having been several times taken, and always
involving the lo