The Roman History of Ammianus Marcellinus: During the Reigns of the Emperors Constantius, Julian, Jovianus, Valentinian, and ValensAmmianus Marcellinus
History
The Roman History of Ammianus Marcellinus: During the Reigns of the Emperors Constantius, Julian, Jovianus, Valentinian, and Valens
Ammianus Marcellinus
Rome -- History -- Empire, 284-476
14. Although the garrison excelled in endurance and in the arts of war,
without any other aid than that of their walls, still our soldiers,
being attacked as they were from a more numerous force, became impatient
of the long delay, and moved round and round the suburbs, seeking
diligently to discover by what force or what engines they could make
their way out of the city.
15. But as, through the greatness of the difficulties in their way, they
could not accomplish this, they began to slacken their exertions as to
the siege itself, and leaving a few watches and outposts, ravaged the
adjacent country, and thus obtained all kinds of supplies, dividing
their booty with their comrades. The consequence was, that excessive
eating and drinking proved injurious to their health.
16. When, however, Immo and his colleagues reported this to Julian, who
was passing the winter at Constantinople, he applied a wise remedy to
such a disorder, and sent thither Agilo, the commander of his infantry,
an officer in great esteem, that when a man of his rank and reputation
appeared there and took the intelligence of the death of Constantius to
the army, the siege might be terminated in that way.
17. In the mean while, not to abandon the siege of Aquileia, as all
other attempts had proved futile, the generals endeavoured to compel the
citizens to surrender by want of water. So they cut the aqueducts; but
as the garrison still resisted with undiminished courage, they, with
vast valour, diverted the stream of the river. But this again was done
in vain; for they reduced the allowance of water to each man; and
contented themselves with the scanty supply they could procure from
wells.
18. While these affairs were proceeding thus, Agilo arrived, as he had
been commanded; and, being protected by a strong body of heavy infantry,
came up boldly close to the walls; and in a long and veracious speech,
told the citizens of the death of Constantius, and the confirmation of
Julian's power; but was reviled and treated as a liar. Nor would any one
believe his statement of what had occurred, till on promise of safety he
was admitted by himself to the edge of the defences; where, with a
solemn oath, he repeated what he had before related.
19. When his story was heard, they all, eager to be released from their
protracted sufferings, threw open the gates and rushed out, admitting
him in the joy as a captain who brought them peace; and excusing
themselves, they gave up Nigrinus as the author of their mad resistance,
and a few others; demanding that their punishment should be taken as an
atonement for the treason and sufferings of the city.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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