---
title: "History · Res gestae"
author: "Ammianus Marcellinus"
translator: "John C. Rolfe"
languages: [la, en]
shelf: "Classical Latin"
section: 26 of 52
url: https://scriptura.si/works/ammianus-marcellinus-res-gestae/26/
cite: "Ammianus Marcellinus, tr. John C. Rolfe, History · Res gestae, section 26. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/ammianus-marcellinus-res-gestae/26/"
---

# History · Res gestae

*Ammianus Marcellinus, tr. John C. Rolfe*

The last great Latin history of Rome, by a Greek soldier: the emperor Julian, the Persian wars and the Goths’ victory at Adrianople in AD 378.

> Latin: ed. John C. Rolfe, from the Perseus Digital Library (canonical-latinLit, stoa0023.stoa001, CC BY-SA 4.0).

> English: John C. Rolfe, from the Perseus Digital Library (stoa0023.stoa001.perseus-eng2). Notes are not included.

> Rows follow the references the two texts share (books, chapters and sections), cut where both reach the end of a sentence.

## 26. Book XXIII · chapters 1–5

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/ammianus-marcellinus-res-gestae/26/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/ammianus-marcellinus-res-gestae/26/#p-N

[¶0] 1.1. These were the events of that year, to pass over minor details. But Julian, who had already been consul three times, assumed the chief magistracy for the fourth time, taking as his colleague in the office Sallustius, prefect of Gaul. And for a private citizen to be associated with the reigning emperor seemed an innovation which no one recalled to have been made since Diocletian and Aristobulus.

> Latin: 1.1. Haec eo anno (ut praetereamus negotiorum minutias) agebantur. Iulianus vero iam tertio consul, adscito in collegium trabeae Sallustio praefecto per Gallias, quater ipse amplissimum inierat magistratum et videbatur novum adiunctum esse Augusto privatum, quod post Diocletianum et Aristobulum, nullus meminerat gestum.

[¶1] 1.2. And although he weighed every possible variety of events with anxious thought, and pushed on with burning zeal the many preparations for his campaign, yet turning his activity to every part, and eager to extend the memory of his reign by great works, he planned at vast cost to restore the once splendid temple at Jerusalem, which after many mortal combats during the siege by Vespasian and later by Titus, had barely been stormed. He had entrusted the speedy performance of this work to Alypius of Antioch, who had once been vice-prefect of Britain.

> Latin: 1.2. Et licet accidentium varietatem sollicita mente praecipiens, multiplicatos expeditionis apparatus flagranti studio perurgeret, diligentiam tamen ubique dividens, imperiique sui memoriam, magnitudine operum gestiens propagare, ambitiosum quondam apud Hierosolymam templum, quod post multa et interneciva certamina, obsidente Vespasiano, posteaque Tito, aegre est expugnatum, instaurare sumptibus cogitabat immodicis, negotiumque maturandum Alypio dederat Antiochensi qui olim Britannias curaverat pro praefectis.

[¶2] 1.3. But, though this Alypius pushed the work on with vigour, aided by the governor of the province, terrifying balls of flame kept bursting forth near the foundations of the temple, and made the place inaccessible to the workmen, some of whom were burned to death; and since in this way the element persistently repelled them, the enterprise halted.

> Latin: 1.3. Cum itaque rei idem fortiter instaret Alypius, iuvaretque provinciae rector, metuendi globi flammarum prope fundamenta crebris assultibus erumpentes, fecere locum exustis aliquotiens operantibus inaccessum, hocque modo elemento destinatius repellente, cessavit inceptum.

[¶3] 1.4. At that same time envoys were sent to him from the eternal city, men illustrious by birth and approved by the services of a commendable life, on whom the emperor conferred various honours. Apronianus he appointed prefect of Rome, and Octavianus proconsular governor of Africa; to Venustus he entrusted the vice-governorship of Spain, Rufinus Aradius he raised to the rank of Count of the Orient in room of his uncle Julian, who had recently died.

> Latin: 1.4. Eisdem diebus, legatos ad se missos ab urbe aeterna, dare natos meritisque probabilis vitae compertos, imperator honoribus diversis affecit. Et Apronianum Romae decrevit esse praefectum, Octavianum proconsulem Africae, Venusto vicariam commisit Hispaniae, Rufinum Aradium comitem Orientis, in locum avunculi sui Iuliani, recens defuncti, provexit.

[¶4] 1.5. When these matters had been arranged as planned, he was alarmed by an omen which, as the result showed, was most trustworthy. For when Felix, head of the public treasury, had suddenly died of a haemorrhage, and Count Julian had followed him to the grave, the people as they looked at the public inscriptions, uttered the names as Felix, Julianus and Augustus.

> Latin: 1.5. Quibus ut convenerat ordinatis, terrebatur omine quodam, ut docuit exitus, praesentissimo. Felice enim largitionum comite profluvio sanguinis repente exstincto, eumque comite Iuliano secuto, vulgus publicos contuens titulos, Felicem Iulianum Augustumque pronuntiabat.

[¶5] 1.6. Another unlucky thing had happened before this; for just on the Kalends of January, as the emperor was mounting the steps of the temple of the Genius, one of the college of priests who was older than the rest suddenly, without being pushed, fell and died of the unlooked-for accident. The bystanders—whether through ignorance or desire to flatter is uncertain— said that this surely pointed to Sallustius, the elder of the two consuls; but (as was evident) it showed that death was approaching, not the man of greater age, but the higher in rank.

> Latin: 1.6. Praecesserat aliud scaevum; namque kalendis ipsis Ianuariis ascendente eo gradile Genii templum, e sacerdotum consortio quidam ceteris diuturnior, nullo pulsante, repente concidit animamque insperato casu efflavit, quod adstantes (incertum per imperitiam an adulandi cupiditate), memorabant consulum seniori portendi, nimirum Sallustio, sed (ut apparuit) non aetati sed potestati maiori, interitum propinquare monstrabat.

[¶6] 1.7. Besides these, other lesser signs also indicated from time to time what came to pass. For amid the very beginning of the preparations for the Parthian campaign word came that Constantinople had been shaken by an earthquake, which those skilled in such matters said was not a favourable omen for a ruler who was planning to invade another’s territory. And so they tried to dissuade Julian from the untimely enterprise, declaring that these and similar signs ought to be disregarded only in the case of attack by an enemy, when the one fixed rule is, to defend the safety of the State by every possible means and with unremitting effort. Just at that time it was reported to him by letter, that at Rome the Sibylline books had been consulted about this war, as he had ordered, and had given the definite reply that the emperor must not that year leave his frontiers.

> Latin: 1.7. Super his alia quoque minora signa subinde quod acciderat ostendebant. Inter ipsa enim exordia procinctus Parthici disponendi, nuntiatum est Constantinopolim terrae pulsu vibratam: quod horum periti minus laetum esse pronuntiabant aliena pervadere molienti rectori. Ideoque intempestivo conatu desistere suadebant, ita demum haec et similia contemni oportere firmantes, cum irruentibus armis externis, lex una sit et perpetua, salutem omni ratione defendere, nihil remittentem vigoris. Eisdem diebus nuntiatum est ei per litteras, Romae super hoc bello libros Sibyllae consultos, ut iusserat, imperatorem eo anno discedere a limitibus suis, aperto prohibuisse responso.

[¶7] 2.1. Meanwhile, however, embassies from many nations which promised aid were cordially received and sent back; for the emperor with laudable confidence replied, that it was by no means fitting for the Roman State to defend itself by means of foreign aid, since its duty was rather by its power to protect its friends and allies, if necessity forced them to apply for help.

> Latin: 2.1. Inter haec tamen legationes gentium plurimarum auxilia pollicentium, liberaliter susceptae remittebantur, speciosa fiducia principe respondente, nequaquam decere adventiciis adiumentis rem vindicari Romanam, cuius opibus foveri conveniret amicos et socios, si auxilium eos adegerit necessitas implorare.

[¶8] 2.2. Arsaces only, the king of Armenia, did he order to muster a strong army and await his orders, since he would shortly learn to what place he was to march and what he ought to push forward. Thereupon, as soon as regard for prudence offered the opportunity, he hastened to invade the enemy’s country, outstripping the report of his coming; and spring had barely arrived, when he ordered all to cross the Euphrates, sending marching orders to every division of his army.

> Latin: 2.2. Solum Arsacem monuerat Armeniae regem, ut collectis copiis validis, iubenda operiretur, quo tenderet, quid deberet urgere, propere cogniturus. Proinde cum primam consultae rationes copiam praebuissent, rumore praecurso, hostiles occupare properans terras, nondum adulto vere, missa per militares numeros expeditionali tessera cunctos transire iussit Euphraten.

[¶9] 2.3. As soon as this was known, all hastened from their winter quarters, and having crossed as their written orders directed, they dispersed to their several posts and awaited the coming of the emperor. He himself, when on the point of leaving Antioch, appointed as governor of Syria a certain Alexander of Heliopolis, who was hot-tempered and cruel; and he said that the man did not deserve the post, but was the kind of judge proper for the avaricious and rebellious people of Antioch.

> Latin: 2.3. Quo comperto omnes evolant ex hibernis, transmissique (ut textus docebat scriptorum), dispersi per stationes varias adventum principis exspectabant. Ipse autem Antiochiam egressurus, Heliopoliten quendam Alexandrum, Syriacae iuris dictioni praefecit, turbulentum et saevum; dicebatque non illum meruisse, sed Antiochensibus avaris et contumeliosis huius modi iudicem convenire.

[¶10] 2.4. And when a crowd of all conditions of men escorted him as he was leaving the city, wishing him a successful march and a glorious return, and begging that in the future he might be more placable and mild, since the anger which their attacks and insults had aroused was not yet assuaged, he replied harshly, saying that they would never see him again.

> Latin: 2.4. Cumque eum profecturum deduceret multitudo multitude promiscua, itum felicem reditumque gloriosum exoptans, oransque ut deinde placabilis esset et lenior, nondum ira, quam ex compellationibus et probris conceperat, emollita, loquebatur asperius, se esse eos asserens postea non visurum.

[¶11] 2.5. For he said that he had arranged when the campaign was finished to return by a shorter route to Tarsus in Cilicia for the purpose of wintering, and that he had written to Memorius, the governor of that city, to prepare everything that was necessary for his use. And this not long afterwards came to pass; for his body was brought back there, and he was buried in a suburb of the city with simple rites, as he himself had directed.

> Latin: 2.5. Disposuisse enim aiebat, hiemandi gratia per compendiariam viam, consummate procinctu, Tarsum Ciliciae reversurum, scripsisseque ad Memorium praesidem, ut in eadem urbe cuncta usui congrua pararentur. Et hoc haud diu postea contigit. Corpus namque eius illuc relatum exsequiarum humili pompa, in suburbano sepultum est, ut ipse mandarat.

[¶12] 2.6. And when the season was now sunny, he set out on the fifth of March, and came by the usual route to Hierapolis. There, as he was entering the gates of the great city, a colonnade on his left suddenly collapsed and crushed with a great weight of timbers and tiles fifty soldiers who were encamped under it, besides wounding many more.

> Latin: 2.6. Iamque apricante caelo tertium nonas Martias profectus, Hierapolim solitis itineribus venit. Ubi cum introierit civitatis capacissimae portas, sinistra porticus subito lapsa, subter tendentes quinquaginta milites exceptis plurimis vulneratis, tignorum tegularumque pondere magno collisit.

[¶13] 2.7. Then, uniting all his forces, he marched to Mesopotamia so rapidly that, since no report of his coming had preceded him (for he had carefully guarded against that), he came upon the Assyrians unawares. Finally, having crossed the Euphrates on a bridge of boats, he arrived with his army and his Scythian auxiliaries at Batnae, a town of Osdroëne, where he met with a sad portent.

> Latin: 2.7. Unde contractis copiis omnibus, Mesopotamiam propere signa commovit, ut fama de se nulla praeversa—id enim curatius observarat,—improvisus Assyrios occuparet. Denique cum exercitu et Scytharum auxiliis, Euphrate navali ponte transmisso, venit ad Batnas, municipium Osdroenae, ibique illaetabile portentum offendit.

[¶14] 2.8. For when a great throng of ostlers, in order to get fodder as usual, had taken their place near a very high stack of chaff (such as are commonly constructed in that country), since many at once laid hold on what they wanted, the heap was broken and gave way, and fifty men at once met death by being buried under the huge mass that fell upon them.

> Latin: 2.8. Cum enim calonum frequens multitude ad suscipiendum consuete pabulum prope acervum palearum stetisset, impendio celsum—hoc enim modo per regiones illas tales species construuntur,—rapientibus multis, quassata congeries inclinata est, parique exitio quinquaginta obruit homines, mole maxima ruinarum.

[¶15] 3.1. Departing from there in sorrow, by a forced march he came to Carrae, an ancient town, notorious for the disaster of the Crassi and the Roman army. From there two different royal highways lead to Persia: the one on the left through Adiabene and over the Tigris; the other, on the right, through Assyria and across the Euphrates.

> Latin: 3.1. Maestus exinde digressus, venit cursu propero Carras, antiquum oppidum, Crassorum et Romani exercitus aerumnis insigne. Unde duae ducentes Persidem viae regiae distinguuntur, laeva per Adiabenam et Tigridem, dextra per Assyrios et Euphraten.

[¶16] 3.2. Having delayed there several days for necessary preparations, and to offer sacrifices according to the native rites to the Moon, which is religiously venerated in that region, before the altar, with no witness present, Julian is said secretly to have handed his purple mantle to his relative Procopius, and to have ordered him boldly to assume the rule, if he learned that the emperor had died among the Parthians.

> Latin: 3.2. Ibi moratus aliquot dies, dum necessaria parat, et Lunae (quae religiose per eos colitur tractus), ritu locorum fert sacra, dicitur ante aras, nullo arbitrorum admisso occulte paludamentum purpureum propinquo suo tradidisse Procopio, mandasseque arripere fidentius principatum, si se interisse didicerit apud Parthos.

[¶17] 3.3. Here, as Julian slept, his mind was disturbed by dreams, which made him think that some sorrow would come to him. Therefore, both he himself and the interpreters of dreams, considering the present conditions, declared that the following day, which was the nineteenth of March, ought to be carefully watched. But, as was afterwards learned, it was on that same night that the temple of the Palatine Apollo, under the prefecture of Apronianus, was burned in the eternal city; and if it had not been for the employment of every possible help, the Cumaean books also would have been destroyed by the raging flames.

> Latin: 3.3. Hic Iuliani quiescentis animus agitatus insomniis, eventurum triste aliquid praesagibat. Quocirca et ipse et visorum interpretes, praesentia contemplantes, diem secutum, qui erat quartum decimum kalendas Aprilis, observari debere pronuntiabant. Verum ut compertum est postea, hac eadem nocte Palatini Apollinis templum, praefecturam regente Aproniano, in urbe conflagravit aeterna, ubi ni multiplex iuvisset auxilium, etiam Cumana carmina consumpserat magnitudo magnitude flammarum.

[¶18] 3.4. After these matters were thus arranged, just as Julian was busy with the army and in getting supplies of every kind, it was reported to him by scouts who arrived in breathless haste, that some bands of the enemy’s horsemen had suddenly broken through a part of the neighbouring frontier and carried off booty.

> Latin: 3.4. Post quae ita digesta, agmina et commeatus omnis generis disponenti imperatori, procursatorum adventu anhelantium etiam tum indicatur, equestres hostium turmas vicino limite quodam perrupto, avertisse subito praedas.

[¶19] 3.5. Startled by this cruel disaster, Julian (as he had previously planned) instantly put 30,000 picked men under the command of the aforesaid Procopius, and joined to him with equal powers Sebastianus, formerly a military commander in Egypt, and now a count, with orders to keep for the present on this side of the Tigris and to watch carefully everywhere and see that nothing unexpected should happen on the unprotected side, such as he had heard had often occurred. And he gave the order that (if it could be done to greater advantage) they should join King Arsaces, march with him through Corduene and Moxoëne, lay waste in passing by Chiliocomum, a fruitful region of Media, and other places, and meet him while he was still in Assyria, so as to aid him in cases of necessity.

> Latin: 3.5. Cuius atrocitate mali perculsus, ilico (ut ante cogitaverat) triginta milia lectorum militum eidem commisit Procopio, iuncto ad parilem potestatem Sebastiano comite ex duce Aegypti, eisdemque praecepit, ut intra Tigridem interim agerent, vigilanter omnia servaturi, nequid inopinum ex incauto latere oreretur, qualia multa saepe didicerat evenisse, mandabatque eis ut (si fieri potius posset), regi sociarentur Arsaci, cumque eo per Corduenam et Moxoenam, Chiliocomo uberi Mediae tractu, partibusque aliis praestricto cursu vastatis, apud Assyrios adhuc agenti sibi concurrerent, necessitatum articulis adfuturi.

[¶20] 3.6. After these arrangements had thus been made, he himself feigned a march across the Tigris, an expedition for which he had also ordered supplies to be carefully prepared, but then turned to the right and, after passing a quiet night, called next morning for the mount which he usually rode. And when the horse, called Babylonius, was brought to him, it was laid low by a missile from the artillery, and as it rolled on the ground in unbearable pain, it scattered about its ornaments, which were adorned with gold and precious stones. Delighted by this omen, Julian cried out amid expressions of joy from the bystanders, that Babylon had fallen to the ground, stripped of all its adornments.

> Latin: 3.6. His ita ordinatis, ipse exitu simulato per Tigrim, quod iter etiam re cibaria de industria iusserat instrui, flexit dextrorsus, et quieta nocte emensa, mane iumentum quo veheretur ex usu poposcit, oblatusque ei equus Babylonius nomine, ictu torminum consternatus, dum dolorum impatiens volvitur, auro lapillisque ornamenta distincta conspersit. Quo ostento laetior exclamavit, plaudentibus proximis, Babylona humi procidisse ornamentis omnibus spoliatam.

[¶21] 3.7. Then delaying for a time, in order to confirm the omen by favourable signs from victims, he came to the fortified camp of Davana at the source of the river Belias, a tributary of the Euphrates. Here we rested and took food, and on the following day arrived at Callinicum, a strong fortress, and most welcome because of its rich trade. There, on the twenty-seventh of March, the day on which at Rome the annual procession in honour of the Mother of the Gods takes place, and the carriage in which her image is carried is washed, as it is said, in the waters of the Almo, he celebrated the usual rites in the ancient fashion and spent the night in peaceful sleep, happy and full of confidence.

> Latin: 3.7. Et paulisper detentus, ut omen per hostias litando firmaret, Davanam venit castra praesidiaria, unde ortus Belias fluvius funditur in Euphraten. Hic corporibus cibo curatis et quiete, postridie ventum est ad Callinicum, munimentum robustum et commercandi opimitate gratissimum, ubi diem sextum kalendas Apriles, quo Romae Matri deorum pompae celebrantur annuales, et carpentum, quo vehitur simulacrum, Almonis undis ablui perhibetur, sacrorum sollemnitate prisco more completa, somno per otium capto, exsultans pernoctavit et laetus.

[¶22] 3.8. The next day he marched on from there along the brow of the river-banks, since the waters were rising from streams flowing in on all sides, and kept on with his armed force until he came to an outpost, where he encamped. There the princes of the Saracen nations as suppliants on bended knees presented him with a golden crown and did obeisance to him as lord of the world and of its peoples; and they were gladly received, since they were adapted for guerilla warfare.

> Latin: 3.8. Luce vero secuta, profectus exinde per supercilia riparum fluvialium, aquis adulescentibus undique convenis, cum armigera gradiens manu, in statione quadam sub pellibus mansit, ubi Saracenarum reguli gentium, genibus supplices nixi, oblata ex auro corona, tamquam mundi nationumque suarum dominum adorarunt, suscepti gratanter, ut ad furta bellorum appositi.

[¶23] 3.9. And while he was giving them audience his fleet arrived, equal to that of the mighty king Xerxes, under the command of the tribune Constantianus and Count Lucillianus; and the broad Euphrates was almost too narrow for it, consisting as it did of a thousand cargo-carriers of varied construction, and bringing an abundance of supplies, weapons, and also siege-engines; there were besides fifty warships and an equal number which were needed for making bridges.

> Latin: 3.9. Dumque hos alloquitur, Xerxis illius potentissimi regis instar, classis advenit, tribuno Constantiano cum comite Lucilliano ductante, quae latissimum flumen Euphraten artabat, in qua mille erant onerariae naves, ex diversa trabe confectae, commeatus abunde ferentes, et tela, et obsidionales etiam machinas, quinquaginta aliae bellatrices, totidemque ad compaginandos necessariae pontes.

[¶24] 4.1. What I have just said suggests that I should, as briefly as my modest ability permits, give a concise description of engines of this kind, for the benefit of those who are unacquainted with them; and I shall first explain the form of the ballista.

> Latin: 4.1. Re ipsa admoneor, breviter quantum mediocre potest ingenium, haec instrumentorum genera ignorantibus circumscripte monstrare; et ballistae figura docebitur prima.

[¶25] 4.2. Between two posts along, strong iron baris fastened, and projects like a great ruler; from its smooth, rounded surface, which in the middle is highly polished, a squared staff extends to a considerable distance, hollowed out along its length with a narrow groove, and bound there with a great number of twisted cords. To this two wooden rollers are very firmly attached, and near one of them stands the gunner who aims the shot. He carefully places in the groove of the projecting iron bar a wooden arrow, tipped with a great iron point. When this is done, strong young men on both sides quickly turn the rollers and the cords.

> Latin: 4.2. Ferrum inter axiculos duos firmum compaginatur et vastum in modum regulae maioris extentum, cuius ex volumine tereti, quod in medio pars polita componit, quadratus eminet stilus extentius, recto canalis angusti meatu cavatus, et hac multiplici chorda nervorum tortilium illigatus: eique cochleae duae ligneae coniunguntur artissime, quarum prope unam assistit artifex contemplabilis, et subtiliter apponit in temonis cavamine, sagittam ligneam spiculo maiore conglutinatam, hocque facto, hinc inde validi iuvenes versant agiliter rotabilem flexum.

[¶26] 4.3. When its point has reached the outermost ropes, the arrow, driven by the power within, flies from the ballista out of sight, sometimes emitting sparks because of the excessive heat. And it often happens that before the weapon is seen, the pain of a mortal wound makes it felt.

> Latin: 4.3. Cum ad extremitatem nervorum acumen venerit summum, percita interno pulsu a ballista ex oculis avolat, interdum nimio ardore scintillans, et evenit saepius ut antequam telum cernatur, dolor letale vulnus agnoscat.

[¶27] 4.4. The scorpion, which is now-a-days called the wild ass, has the following form. Two posts of oak or holm-oak are hewn out and slightly bent, so that they seem to stand forth like humps. These are fastened together like a sawing-machine and bored through on both sides with fairly large holes. Between them, through the holes, strong ropes are bound, holding the machine together, so that it may not fly apart.

> Latin: 4.4. Scorpionis autem (quem appellant nunc Onagrum) huius modi forma est. Dolantur axes duo quernei vel ilicei, curvanturque mediocriter, ut prominere videantur in gibbas, hique in modum serratoriae machinae conectuntur ex utroque latere patentius perforati, quos inter per cavernas funes colligantur robusti, compagem (ne dissiliat) continentes.

[¶28] 4.5. From the middle of these ropes a wooden arm rises obliquely, pointed upward like the pole of a chariot, and is twined around with cords in such a way that it can be raised higher or depressed. To the top of this arm, iron hooks are fastened, from which hangs a sling of hemp or iron. In front of the arm is placed a great cushion of hair-cloth stuffed with fine chaff, bound on with strong cords, and placed on a heap of turf or a pile of sundried bricks; for a heavy machine of this kind, if placed upon a stone wall, shatters everything beneath it by its violent concussion, rather than by its weight.

> Latin: 4.5. Ab hac medietate restium ligneus stilus exsurgens obliquius, et in modum iugalis temonis erectus, ita nervorum nodulis implicatur, ut altius tolli possit et inclinari, summitatique eius unci ferrei copulantur, e quibus pendet stuppea vel ferrea funda, cui ligno fulmentum prosternitur ingens, cilicium paleis confertum minutis, validis nexibus illigatum, et locatum super congestos caespites vel latericios aggeres. Nam muro saxeo huius modi moles imposita disiectat quidquid invenerit subter concussione violenta, non pondere.

[¶29] 4.6. Then, when there is a battle, a round stone is placed in the sling and four young men on each side turn back the bar with which the ropes are connected and bend the pole almost flat. Then finally the gunner, standing above, strikes out the pole-bolt, which holds the fastenings of the whole work, with a strong hammer, thereupon the pole is set free, and flying forward with a swift stroke, and meeting the soft hair-cloth, hurls the stone, which will crush whatever it hits.

> Latin: 4.6. Cum igitur ad concertationem fuerit ventum, lapide rotundo fundae imposito, quaterni altrinsecus iuvenes repagula quibus incorporati sunt funes, explicantes retrorsus, stilum paene supinum inclinant: itaque demum sublimis adstans magister, claustrum quod totius operis continet vincula, reserat malleo forti perculsum, unde absolutus ictu volucri stilus, et mollitudine offensus cilicii, saxum contorquet, quicquid incurrerit collisurum.

[¶30] 4.7. And the machine is called tormentum as all the released tension is caused by twisting (torquetur); and scorpion, because it has an upraised sting; modern times have given it the new name onager, because when wild asses are pursued by hunters, by kicking they hurl back stones to a distance, either crushing the breasts of their pursuers, or breaking the bones of their skulls and shattering them.

> Latin: 4.7. Et tormentum quidem appellatur ex eo quod omnis explicatio torquetur, scorpio autem quoniam aculeum desuper habet erectum, cui etiam onagri vocabulum indidit aetas novella ea re, quod asini feri cum venatibus agitantur, ita eminus lapides post terga calcitrando emittunt, ut perforent pectora sequentium aut perfractis ossibus capita ipsa displodant.

[¶31] 4.8. Now we shall come to the ram. A tall fir or mountain ash is selected, to the end of which is fastened a long, hard iron; this has the appearance of a projecting ram’s head, and it is this shape which has given the machine its name. This is suspended between ironbound beams running across on both sides, so that it hangs from a third beam like the pan of a balance. Then a number of men, as great as the length of the pole permits, draw it back and then shove it forward again with powerful blows, just as a ram charges and retreats, to break everything in its way. As this is renewed with the force of a repeated stroke of lightning, buildings are cracked and shattered as the structure of their walls is destroyed.

> Latin: 4.8. Hinc ad arietem veniemus. Eligitur abies vel ornus excelsa, cuius summitas duro ferro concluditur et prolixo, arietis efficiens prominulam speciem, quae forma huic machinamento vocabulum indidit, et sic suspensa utrimque, transversis asseribus et ferratis, quasi ex lance vinculis trabis alterius continetur, eamque quantum mensurae ratio patitur, multitudo multitude retro repellens, rursus ad obvia quaeque rumpenda protrudit, ictibus validissimis, instar adsurgentis et cedentis arietis Qua crebritate velut reciproci fulminis impetu aedificiis scissis in rimas, concidunt structurae laxatae murorum.

[¶32] 4.9. If this kind of engine is worked with full vigour, the strongest cities, after their walls have been stripped of defenders, are laid open, and the siege is thus brought to an end.

> Latin: 4.9. Hoc genere operis si fuerit exserto vigore discussum, nudatis defensoribus muris, ideoque solutis obsidiis, civitates munitissimae recluduntur.

[¶33] 4.10. In place of these devices of rams, which, because they are now so frequent, are in less esteem, a machine is made, well known to the historians, which we Greeks call helepolis. It was through the constant employment of this engine that Demetrius, the son of King Antigonus, after taking Rhodes and other cities gained the name of Poliorcetes.

> Latin: 4.10. Pro his arietum meditamentis iam crebritate despectis, conditur machina scriptoribus historicis nota, quam ἑλέπολιν Graeci cognominamus. Cuius opera diuturna Demetrius, Antigoni filius regis, Rhodo aliisque urbibus oppugnatis, Poliorcetes est appellatus.

[¶34] 4.11. It is built in the following manner: a huge mantlet is constructed of strong planks of great length fastened together with iron nails, and covered with ox-hides and hurdles of green twigs; and over these is spread mud, in order to protect it from fire and falling missiles.

> Latin: 4.11. Aedificatur autem hoc modo: testudo compaginatur immanis, axibus roborata longissimis, ferreisque clavis aptata, et contegitur coriis bubulis, virgarumque virgarumqae recenti textura, atque limo asperguntur eius suprema, ut flammeos detrectet et missiles casus.

[¶35] 4.12. On its front side are set very sharp, three-pronged spear-points, of the form which our painters and sculptors give to thunderbolts, made heavy with iron weights, so that whatever it attacks it shatters with the projecting points.

> Latin: 4.12. Conseruntur autem eius frontalibus trisulcae cuspides praeacutae, ponderibus ferreis graves, qualia nobis pictores ostendunt fulmina vel fictores, ut quicquid petierit, aculeis exsertis abrumpat.

[¶36] 4.13. This powerful mass is guided by numerous soldiers within by means of wheels and ropes, and by their united efforts is brought up to the weaker part of the walls; and unless the strength of the defenders above is too great, it shatters the walls and opens great breaches.

> Latin: 4.13. Hanc ita validam molem rotis et funibus regens, numerosus intrinsecus miles, languidiori murorum parti viribus admovet concitis, et nisi desuper propugnantium valuerint vires, collisis parietibus aditus patefacit ingentes.

[¶37] 4.14. But fire-darts (a kind of missile) are made in this form: the shaft is of reed, and between this and the point is a covering of bands of iron; it looks like a woman’s distaff for making linen threads. It is skilfully hollowed out on the lower side with many openings, and in the cavity fire and some inflammable matter are placed.

> Latin: 4.14. Malleoli autem, teli genus, figurantur hac specie: sagitta est cannea, inter spiculum et harundinem multifido ferro coagmentata, quae in muliebris coli formam (quo nentur lintea stamina), concavatur ventre subtiliter, et plurifariam patens, atque in alveo ipso ignem cum aliquo suscipit alimento.

[¶38] 4.15. And if it is shot slowly from a somewhat loose bow (for it is extinguished by too swift a flight) and has stuck anywhere, it burns persistently, and water poured upon it rouses the fire to still greater heat; and there is no way of extinguishing it except by sprinkling it with dust. So much for mural engines, of which I have described only a few. Now let us return to the course of our narrative.

> Latin: 4.15. Et si emissa lentius arcu invalido,—ictu enim rapidiore exstinguitur,—haeserit usquam, tenaciter cremat, aquisque conspersa acriores excitat aestus incendiorum, nec remedio ullo quam superiacto pulvere consopitur. Hactenus de instrumentis muralibus, e quibus pauca sunt dicta. Nunc ad rerum ordinem revertamur.

[¶39] 5.1. After having received the auxiliaries of the Saracens, which they offered him with great willingness, the emperor marched at quick step to Cercusium, a very safe and skilfully built fortress, whose walls are washed by the Abora and Euphrates rivers, which form a kind of island, and entered it at the beginning of the month of April.

> Latin: 5.1. Adscitis Saracenorum auxiliis, quae animis obtulere promptissimis, tendens imperator agili gradu Cercusium, principio mensis Aprilis ingressus est, munimentum tutissimum et fabre politum, cuius moenia Abora et Euphrates ambiunt flumina, velut spatium insulare fingentes.

[¶40] 5.2. This place, which was formerly small and exposed to danger, Diocletian, alarmed by a recent experience, encircled with walls and lofty towers, at the time when he was arranging the inner lines of defence on the very frontiers of the barbarians, in order to prevent the Persians from overrunning Syria, as had happened a few years before with great damage to the provinces.

> Latin: 5.2. Quod Diocletianus exiguum antehac antehoc et suspectum, muris turribusque circumdedit celsis, cum in ipsis barbarorum confiniis interiores limites ordinaret, documento recenti perterritus, ne vagarentur per Syriam Persae, ita ut paucis ante annis cum magnis provinciarum contigerat damnis.

[¶41] 5.3. For once upon a time at Antioch, amid deep silence, an actor of mimes, who with his wife had been presented in stage-plays, was presenting some scenes from everyday life. And while all the people were amazed at the charm of the performance, the wife suddenly cried: “Is it a dream, or are the Persians here?” Whereupon all the people turned their heads about and then fled in all directions, to avoid the arrows that were showered upon them from the citadel. Thus the city was set on fire, and many people who were carelessly wandering about, as in time of peace, were butchered; neighbouring places were burned and devastated, and the enemy, laden with plunder, returned home without the loss of a single man. Mareades, who had inconsiderately brought the Persians there to the destruction of his own people, was burned alive. This took place in the time of Gallienus.

> Latin: 5.3. Namque, cum Antiochiae in alto silentio, scaenicis ludis mimus cum uxore immissus, e medio sumpta quaedam imitaretur, populo venustate attonito, coniunx “Nisi somnus est” inquit “en Persae,” et retortis plebs universa cervicibus, ex arce volantia in se tela declinans, spargitur passim. Ita civitate incensa, et obtruncatis pluribus, qui pacis more palabantur effusius, incensisque locis finitimis et vastatis, onusti praeda hostes ad sua remearunt innoxii, Mareade vivo exusto, qui eos ad suorum interitum civium duxerat inconsulte. Et haec quidem Gallieni temporibus evenerunt.

[¶42] 5.4. But while Julian was lingering at Cercusium, to the end that his army with all its followers might cross the Abora on a bridge of boats, he received a sorrowful letter from Sallustius, prefect of Gaul, begging that the campaign against the Parthians might be put off, and that Julian should not thus prematurely, without having yet prayed for the protection of the gods, expose himself to inevitable destruction.

> Latin: 5.4. Iulianus vero dum moratur apud Cercusium, ut per navalem Aborae pontem exercitus et omnes sequelae transirent, litteras tristes Sallusti, Galliarum praefecti, suscepit, orantis suspendi expeditionem in Parthos, obtestantisque, ne ita intempestive, nondum pace numinum exorata, irrevocabile subiret exitium.

[¶43] 5.5. But the emperor, disregarding his cautious counsellor, pushed confidently on, since no human power or virtue has ever been great enough to turn aside what the decrees of fate had ordained. Immediately upon crossing the bridge he ordered it to be destroyed, so that no soldier in his own army might entertain hope of a return.

> Latin: 5.5. Posthabito tamen suasore cautissimo, fidentius ultra tendebat, quoniam nulla vis humana vel virtus meruisse umquam potuit, ut quod praescripsit fatalis ordo non fiat. Statimque transgressus, pontem avelli praecepit, necui nequi militum ab agminibus propriis revertendi fiducia remaneret.

[¶44] 5.6. Here also, with like fatality, an unfavourable omen appeared: the outstretched corpse of a certain attendant slain by the hand of an executioner, whom the resident prefect Salutius had condemned to death because, after promising to supply additional provisions within a designated time, he had been prevented by an accident from keeping his word. But on the day after the wretched man had been executed another fleet arrived, as he had promised, bringing an abundance of supplies.

> Latin: 5.6. Pari sorte hic quoque omen inlaetabile visum est, apparitoris cuiusdam cadaver extentum, carnificis manu deleti, quem praefectus Sallustius Salutius praesens, ea re supplicio capitali damnarat, quod intra praestitutum diem alimentorum augmentum exhibere pollicitus, casu impediente frustratus est. Sed miserando homine trucidato, postridie advenit, ut ille promiserat, alia classis, abunde vehens annonam.

[¶45] 5.7. Setting out from there we came to a place called Zaitha, which means “Olive tree.” Here we saw, conspicuous from afar, the tomb of the Emperor Gordianus, of whose deeds from early childhood, his successful campaigns, and his treacherous murder we have spoken at the appropriate time.

> Latin: 5.7. Profecti exinde Zaitham venimus locum, qui olea arbor interpretatur. Hic Gordiani imperatoris longe conspicuum vidimus tumulum, cuius actus a pueritia prima, exercituumque felicissimos ductus, et insidiosum interitum, digessimus tempore competenti.

[¶46] 5.8. When Julian had there, in accordance with his native piety, made offerings to the deified emperor, and was on his way to Dura (a deserted town), he saw a troop of soldiers in the distance and halted. And while he was in doubt what they were bringing, they presented him with a lion of huge size, which had attacked their line and had been slain by a shower of arrows. Elated by this omen, as if he now had surer hope of a successful outcome, the emperor pushed on with proud confidence, but since the breeze of fortune is uncertain, the result turned out otherwise; for the death of a king was foretold, but of which king was uncertain.

> Latin: 5.8. Ubi cum pro ingenita pietate consecrato principi parentasset, pergeretque ad Duram (desertum oppidum ) procul militarem cuneum conspicatus, stetit immobilis, eique dubitanti quid ferrent, offertur ab eis immanissimi corporis leo, cum aciem peteret, multiplici telorum iactu confossus. Quo omine velut certiore iam spe status prosperioris elatus, exsultantius incedebat, sed incerto flatu fortunae, aliorsum prorupit eventus. Obitus enim regis portendebatur, sed cuius, erat incertum.

[¶47] 5.9. And, in fact, we read of other ambiguous oracles, the meaning of which only the final results determined: as, for example, the truth of the Delphic prediction which declared that Croesus, after crossing the river Halys, would overthrow a mighty kingdom; and another which in veiled language designated the sea as the place for the Athenians to fight against the Medes; and a later one than these, which was in fact true, but none the less ambiguous: Aeacus’ son, I say, the Roman people can conquer.

> Latin: 5.9. Nam et oracula dubia legimus, quae non nisi casus discrevere postremi, ut fidem vaticinii Delphici, quae post Halyn flumen transmissum, maximum regnum deiecturum praedixerat Croesum, et aliam quae Atheniensibus ad certandum contra Medos oblique destinaverat mare, sortemque his posteriorem, veram quidem, sed non minus ambiguam: aio te, Aeacida, Romanos vincere posse.

[¶48] 5.10. However, the Etruscan soothsayers, who accompanied the other adepts in interpreting prodigies, since they were not believed when they often tried to prevent this campaign, now brought out their books on war, and showed that this sign was adverse and prohibitory to a prince invading another’s territory, even though he was in the right.

> Latin: 5.10. Etrusci tamen haruspices qui comitabantur gnaros prodigialium rerum, cum illis procinctum hunc hune saepe arcentibus, non crederetur, prolatis libris exercitualibus, ostendebant signum hoc esse prohibitorium, principique aliena licet iuste invadenti, contrarium.