Res Gestae

For Aemilianus had come close up to the gate, and it was protected by an arch of masonry, under which he was safely hidden while the enemy were trying to lift off the masses of stone[*](The projecting arch above the gate.) ; and he broke into the city when it was stripped of its defenders. But Julian attacked an exposed place, and was forced to retreat only when the face of heaven was darkened by fragments of mountains and other missiles showered upon him; and then with difficulty.

These actions went on in haste and confusion, and since it was evident that the construction of mantlet-sheds and mounds was greatly interfered with by other pressing matters, Julian gave orders that the engine called helepolis[*](City-taker, described in xxiii. 4, 10-13.) should quickly be built, by the use of which, as I have said above, King Demetrius overcame many cities and won the name of Poliorcetes.[*](Besieger of cities.)