ing if
they should fail. Therefore neither abundant bloodshed nor the sight of
numbers of their comrades pierced with deadly wounds could deter the
rest from similar audacity.

12. But for a long time, fighting with absolute desperation, they
exposed themselves to imminent danger; while those who worked the
battering-rams were prevented from advancing by the vast weight of
millstones, and all kinds of fiery missiles hurled against them.

13. One battering-ram was higher than the rest, and was covered with
bull's hides wetted, and being therefore safer from any accident of
fire, or from lighted javelins, it led the way in the attacks on the
wall with mighty blows, and with its terrible point it dug into the
joints of the stones till it overthrew the tower. The tower fell with a
mighty crash, and those in it were thrown down with a sudden jerk, and
breaking their limbs, or being buried beneath the ruins, perished by
various and unexpected kinds of death; then, a safer entrance having
been thus found, the multitude of the enemy poured in with their arms.

14. While the war-cry of the Persians sounded in the trembling ears of
the defeated garrison, a fierce battle within the narrower bounds raged
within the walls, while bands of our men and of the enemy fought hand to
hand, being jammed together, with swords drawn on both sides, and no
quarter given.

15. At last the besieged, after making head with mighty exertion against
the destruction which long seemed doubtful, were overwhelmed with the
weight of the countless host which pressed upon them. And the swords of
the furious foe cut down all they could find; children were torn from
their mother's bosom, and the mothers were slain, no one regarding what
he did. Among these mournful scenes the Persians, devoted to plunder,
loaded with every kind of booty, and driving before them a vast
multitude of prisoners, returned in triumph to their tents.

16. But the king, elated with insolence and triumph, having long been
desirous to obtain possession of Phoenice, as a most important
fortress, did not retire till he had repaired in the strongest manner
that portion of the walls which had been shaken, and till he had stocked
it with ample magazines of provisions, and placed in it a garrison of
men noble by birth and eminent for their skill in war. For he feared
(what indeed happened) that the Romans, being indignant at the loss of
this their grand camp, would exert themselves with