Res Gestae

Ammianus Marcellinus

Ammianus Marcellinus. Ammianus Marcellinus, with an English translation, Vols. I-III. Rolfe, John C., translator. Cambridge, MA; London: Harvard University Press; W. Heinemann, 1935-1940 (printing).

But after fighting with shifting fortune the greater number were driven back within the walls without effecting anything. Then those same Persians, when they had taken their place on the bulwarks were assailed from the mounds, which the Romans had raised, with arrows, sling-shots, and fiery darts, which, however, though they flew through the coverings of the towers, for the most part fell without effect, since there were men at hand to put out the fires.

And when the fighting men on both sides became fewer, and the Persians were driven to the last extremity unless some better plan should suggest

v2.p.81

itself, a carefully devised sally from the fortress was attempted. A vast throng made a sudden rush, with still greater numbers[*](I.e. greater than in previous assaults. For amplioribus = pluribus, cf. xvi. 2, 6, cum timeret ut ampliores. ) of men carrying material for setting fires drawn up among the armed soldiers; then iron baskets filled with flames were hurled upon the woodwork, as well as faggots and other things best suited for kindling fires.