tles of Hector, or extol the
valour of the Thessalian Achilles; let past ages tell the praises of
Sophanes, and Aminias, and Callimachus, and Cynaegirus, those
thunderbolts of war in the struggles of the Greeks against Persia; but
it is evident by the confession of all men that the gallantry displayed
by some of our troops on that day was equal to any of their exploits.

15. After having laid aside their fears, and trampled on the carcases of
their enemies, the soldiers, still stained with the blood so justly
shed, collected round the tent of the emperor, loading him with praises
and thanks, because, while behaving with such bravery that it was hard
to say whether he had been more a general or a soldier, he had conducted
the affair with such success that not above seventy of our men had
fallen, while nearly two thousand five hundred of the Persians had been
slain. And he in his turn addressed by name most of those whose steady
courage and gallant actions he had witnessed, presenting them with
naval, civic, and military crowns.

16. Thinking that this achievement would surely be followed by other
similar successes, he prepared a large sacrifice to Mars the Avenger.
Ten most beautiful bulls were brought for the purpose, nine of which,
even before they reached the altars, lay down of their own accord with
mournful countenances, but the tenth broke his bonds and escaped, and
was with difficulty brought back at all; and when sacrificed displayed
very unfavourable omens; but when he saw this, Julian became very
indignant, and exclaimed, calling Jupiter to witness, that henceforth he
would offer no sacrifices to Mars. Nor did he recall his vow, being cut
off by a speedy death.

VII.

Sec. 1. Julian, having discussed with his chief officers the plan for the
siege of Ctesiphon, it appeared to some of them that it would be an act
of unseasonable temerity to attack that city, both because its situation
made it almost impregnable, and also because King Sapor was believed to
be hastening to its protection with a formidable army.

2. The better opinion prevailed; and the sagacious emperor being
convinced of its wisdom, sent Arinthaeus with a division of light
infantry, to lay waste the surrounding districts, which were rich both
in herds and in crops, with orders also to pursue the enemy with equal
energy, for many of them were wandering about, concealed amid overgrown
by-ways, and lurking-places known only to themselves. The