who peopled the frontiers of the Parisii took up arms, for the purpose
of overwhelming the Romans at once. Labienus had brought fifty large
boats with him from Melun. At nightfall he despatched them, with orders
to descend the river as silently as possible till they came below
Lutetia, nearly at the spot where now stands the village of Anteuil,
and to wait there without making the least movement. His design was to
cross the Seine at that place. In order to deceive the Gauls, he sent
towards the confluence of the Seine and the Maine five cohorts, who had
charge of all the baggage, and were attended by some barks, filled with
sailors. These soldiers marched with as much noise as possible, and the
rowers struck the water with all their strength, in order to attract
the attention of the Gauls. This stratagem was successful, and the
Parisians had no idea of the movement of Labienus, until at daybreak
they perceived that general advancing towards them on their side of the
river. They were immediately in motion, and rushed forward to meet the
Romans. The battle was fought in the plain where now stand the villages
of Issi and Vangirard. It was warm and obstinate. The Gauls fought with
a courage worthy of greater success. Camulogenes set them the example;
though bent beneath the weight of years, this hero appeared, in the
midst of his warriors, to regain all the vigour of youth; he was ever
found at the post of danger, and threw himself fearlessly into the
thickest of the _mêlée_. This first defender of Parisian liberty met
with the death great men desire; he expired fighting for his country,
amidst a heap of dead which his arm had immolated. The victory of
the Romans was complete, and Labienus derived much glory from his
achievement.
SECOND SIEGE, A.D. 885.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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