t and abruptness; across which there was no straight road;
and dangers of two kinds seemed to render the place inaccessible. In the
first place there were towers formidable both for their height and for
the number of their garrison; equalling in height the natural mountain
on which the citadel was built; and secondly, a sloping plain reached
down to the river, which again was protected by stout ramparts.

11. There was a third difficulty not less formidable that the numerous
garrison of picked men which defended the place could not be won over by
any caresses to surrender, but resisted the enemy as if resolved either
to conquer or to perish amid the ashes of their country. The soldiers,
who desired to attack at once, and also insisted upon a pitched battle
in a fair field, could hardly be restrained, and when the retreat was
sounded they burnt with indignation, being eager to make courageous
onsets on the enemy.

12. But the wisdom of our leaders overcame the eagerness of mere
courage; and the work being distributed, every one set about his
allotted task with great alacrity. For on one side high mounds were
raised; on another other parties were raising the deep ditches to the
level of the ground; in other quarters hollow pitfalls were covered over
with long planks; artisans also were placing mural engines soon intended
to burst forth with fatal roars.

13. Nevitta and Dagalaiphus superintended the miners and the erection of
the vineae, or penthouses; but the beginning of the actual conflict, and
the defence of the machines from fire or from sallies of the garrison,
the emperor took to himself. And when all the preparations for taking
the city had been completed by this variety of labour, and the soldiers
demanded to be led to the assault, a captain named Victor returned, who
had explored all the roads as far as Ctesiphon, and now brought word
that he had met with no obstacles.

14. At this news all the soldiers became wild with joy, and being more
elated and eager for the contest than ever, they waited under arms for
the signal.

15. And now on both sides the trumpets sounded with martial clang, and
the Roman vanguard, with incessant attacks and threatening cries,
assailed the enemy, who were covered from head to foot with thin plates
of iron like the feathers of a bird, and who had full confidence that
any weapons that fell on this hard iron would recoil; while our
close-packed shields with which our men covered t