o were slain were stripped of
their arms, and the emperor led back his comrades in safety, laden with
their spoils, into the camp, where he was received with universal joy.

5. Torquatus took a golden necklace from one of the enemy whom he had
slain. Valerius by the aid of a crow defeated a haughty Gaul and earned
the surname of Corvinus, and by this glory these heroes were recommended
to posterity. We do not envy them, but let this gallant exploit be added
to those ancient memorials.

6. The next day a bridge was laid across the river, and the army passed
over it, and pitched their camp in a fresh and more healthy place,
fortifying it with a double rampart, since, as we have said, the open
plains were regarded with apprehension. And then he undertook the siege
of the town, thinking it too dangerous to march forward while leaving
formidable enemies in his rear.

7. While he was making great exertions to complete his preparations, the
Surena, the enemy's general, fell upon the cattle which were feeding in
the palm groves, but was repulsed by those of our squadrons who were
appointed to that service, and, having lost a few men, he retired.

8. And the inhabitants of two cities which are made islands by the
rivers which surround them, fearing to trust in their means of defence,
fled for refuge to Ctesiphon, some fleeing through the thick woods,
others crossing the neighbouring marshes on canoes formed out of
hollowed trees, and thus made a long journey to the principal or indeed
the only shelter which existed for them, intending to proceed to still
more distant regions.

9. Some of them were overtaken, and on their resistance were put to
death by our soldiers, who, traversing various districts in barks and
small boats, brought in from time to time many prisoners. For it had
been cleverly arranged that, while the infantry was besieging the town,
the squadrons of cavalry should scour the country in small bands in
order to bring in booty. And by this system, without doing any injury to
the inhabitants of the provinces, the soldiers fed on the bowels of the
enemy.

10. And by this time the emperor was besieging with all his might and
with a triple line of heavily armed soldiers this town which was
fortified with a double wall; and he had great hope of succeeding in his
enterprise. But if the attempt was indispensable, the execution was very
difficult. For the approach to the town lay everywhere over rocks of
great heigh