light marching
order, were fighting with a Persian division which had made a sally out
of the city gates, another body of the enemy cut off and slew our
cattle, which were following us on the other side of the river, with a
few of our foragers who were straggling about in no great order.

6. The emperor was enraged and indignant at this; he was now near the
district of Ctesiphon, and had just reached a lofty and well-fortified
castle. He went himself to reconnoitre it, being, as he fancied,
concealed, as he rode with a small escort close to the walls; but as
from too much eagerness he got within bowshot, he was soon noticed, and
was immediately assailed by every kind of missile, and would have been
killed by an arrow shot from an engine on the walls, if it had not
struck his armour-bearer, who kept close by his side, and he himself,
being protected by the closely-packed shields of his guards, fell back,
after having been exposed to great danger.

7. At this he was greatly enraged, and determined to lay siege to the
fort; but the garrison was very resolute to defend it, believing the
place to be nearly inaccessible, and that the king, who was advancing
with great speed at the head of a large army, would soon arrive to their
assistance.

8. And now, the vineae and everything else required for the siege being
prepared, at the second watch, when the night, which happened to be one
of very bright moonlight, made everything visible to the defenders on
the battlements, suddenly the whole multitude of the garrison formed
into one body, threw open the gates and sallied out, and attacking a
division of our men who were not expecting them, slew numbers, among
whom one tribune was killed as he was endeavouring to repel the attack.

9. And while this was going on, the Persians, having attacked a portion
of our men in the same manner as before from the opposite side of the
river, slew some and took others prisoners. And our men, in alarm, and
because they believed the enemy had come into the field in very superior
numbers, behaved at first with but little spirit; but presently, when
they recovered their courage, they flew again to arms, and being roused
by the sound of the trumpets, they hastened to the charge with
threatening cries, upon which the Persians retired to the garrison
without further contest.

10. And the emperor, being terribly angry, reduced those of the cavalry
who had shown a want of courage when attacked to ser