ve in the infantry,
which is a severer service and one of less honour.

11. Then, being very eager to take a castle where he had incurred so
much danger, he devoted all his own labour and care to that end, never
himself retiring from the front ranks of his men, in order that by
fighting in the van he might be an example of gallantry to his soldiers,
and might be also sure to see, and therefore able to reward, every
gallant action. And when he had exposed himself a long time to imminent
danger, the castle, having been assailed by every kind of manoeuvre,
weapon, and engine, and by great valour on the part of the besiegers,
was at length taken and burnt.

12. After this, in consideration of the great labour of the exploits
which they had performed, and which were before them, he granted rest to
his army, exhausted with its excessive toil, and distributed among them
provisions in abundance. Then a rampart was raised round the camp, with
dense rows of palisades, and a deep fosse, as sudden sallies and various
formidable manoeuvres were dreaded, since they were very near
Ctesiphon.

VI.

Sec. 1. From this place they advanced to a canal known as Naharmalcha, a
name which means "The River of Kings." It was then dry. Long ago Trajan,
and after him Severus, had caused the soil to be dug out, and had given
great attention to constructing this as a canal of great size, so that,
being filled with water from the Euphrates, it might enable vessels to
pass into the Tigris.

2. And for every object in view it appeared best that this should now be
cleaned out, as the Persians, fearing such an operation, had blocked it
up with a mass of stones. After it had been cleared and the dams
removed, a large body of water was let in, so that our fleet, after a
safe voyage of thirty furlongs, passed into the Tigris. There the army
at once threw bridges across the river, and passing over to the other
side, marched upon Coche.

3. And that after our fatigue we might enjoy seasonable rest, we
encamped in an open plain, rich with trees, vines, and cypresses, in the
middle of which was a shady and delicious pavilion, having all over it,
according to the fashion of the country, pictures of the king slaying
wild beasts in the chase; for they never paint or in any way represent
anything except different kinds of slaughter and war.

4. Having now finished everything according to his wish, the emperor,
rising higher in spirit as his difficulties