ich they thought that none of the enemy would
venture even to look out.

21. After having taken these efficacious measures, a triple line of our
men, having a more threatening aspect than usual from the nodding cones
of their helmets (many of them also bearing ladders), attempted about
twilight to scale the walls. Arms clashed and trumpets sounded, and both
sides fought with equal boldness and ardour. The Romans, extending their
lines more widely, when they saw the Persians hiding from fear of the
engines which had been stationed on the mounds, battered the wall with
their ram, and with spades, and axes, and levers, and ladders, pressed
fiercely on, while missiles from each side flew without ceasing.

22. But the Persians were especially pressed by the various missiles
shot from the balistae, which, from the artificial mounds, came down upon
them in torrents; and having become desperate, they rushed on, fearless
of death, and distributing their force as if at the last extremity, they
left some to guard the walls, while the rest, secretly opening a postern
gate, rushed forth valiantly with drawn swords, followed by others who
carried concealed fire.

23. And while the Romans at one moment were pressing on those who
retreated, at another receiving the assault of those who attacked them,
those who carried the fire crept round by a circuitous path, and pushed
the burning coals in among the interstices of one of the mounds, which
was made up of branches of trees, and rushes, and bundles of reeds. This
soon caught fire and was utterly destroyed, the soldiers themselves
having great difficulty in escaping and saving their engines.

24. But when the approach of evening broke off the conflict, and the two
sides separated to snatch a brief repose, the emperor, after due
reflection, resolved to change his plans. Although many reasons of great
urgency pressed him to force on the destruction of Phoenice, as of a
fortress which would prove an impregnable barrier to the inroads of the
enemy, yet the lateness of the season was an objection to persevering
any longer. He determined, therefore, while he preserved his position,
to carry on the siege for the future by slight skirmishes, thinking that
the Persians would be forced to surrender from want of provisions,
which, however, turned out very different.

25. For while the conflict was proceeding sharply, the heavens became
moist, and watery clouds appeared with threatening darkness