d
from our deserters a true account of the gallant exploits of our men, of
the disgraceful slaughter of his own troops, and also of his elephants
in greater numbers than he ever remembered to have lost before. And he
heard also that the Roman army, being hardened by its continual labours
since the death of its glorious chief, did not now think so much, as
they said, of safety as of revenge; and were resolved to extricate
themselves from their difficulties either by a complete victory or by a
glorious death.

2. He looked on this news as formidable, being aware by experience that
our troops who were scattered over these provinces could easily be
assembled, and knowing also that his own troops after their heavy losses
were in a state of the greatest alarm; he also heard that we had in
Mesopotamia an army little inferior in numbers to that before him.

3. And besides all this, his courage was damped by the fact of five
hundred men having crossed that swollen river by swimming in perfect
safety, and having slain his guards, and so emboldening the rest of
their comrades to similar hardihood.

4. In the mean time, as the violence of the stream prevented any bridges
from being constructed, and as everything which could be eaten was
consumed, we passed two days in great misery, and the starving soldiers
began to be furious with rage, thinking it better to perish by the sword
than by hunger, that most degrading death.

5. But the eternal providence of God was on our side, and beyond our
hopes the Persians made the first overtures, sending the Surena and
another noble as ambassadors to treat for peace, and they themselves
being in a state of despondency, as the Romans, having proved superior
in almost every battle, weakened them daily.

6. But the conditions which they proposed were difficult and intricate,
since they pretended that, out of regard for humanity, their merciful
monarch was willing to permit the remains of our army to return home,
provided the Caesar, with his officers, would satisfy his demands.

7. In reply, we sent as ambassadors on our part, Arinthaeus and
Sallustius; and while the proper terms were being discussed with great
deliberation, we passed four more days in great suffering from want of
provisions, more painful than any kind of torture.

8. And in this truce, if before the ambassadors were sent, the emperor,
being disabused, had retired slowly from the territories of the enemy,
he would have rea