Ideoque cum prima lux advenisset, rex Chionitarum Grumbates, fidenter domino suam operam navaturus, tendebat ad moenia, cum manu promptissima stipatorum, quem ubi venientem iam telo forte contiguum contemplator peritissimus advertisset, contorta ballista, filium eius primae pubis adulescentem, lateri paterno haerentem, thorace cum pectore perforato perfodit, proceritate et decore corporis aequalibus antestantem. Cuius occasu in fugam dilapsi populares eius omnes,
Translation :
And so, at the first dawn of day, Grumbates, king of the Chionitae, wishing to render courageous service to his lord, boldly advanced to the walls with a band of active attendants; but a skilful observer caught sight of him as soon as he chanced to come within range of his weapon, and discharging a ballista, pierced both cuirass and breast of Grumbates' son, a youth just come to manhood, who was riding at his father's side and was conspicuous among his companions for his height and his handsome person. Upon his fall all his countrymen scattered in flight,
Edition :
Ammianus Marcellinus. With An English Translation. John C. Rolfe, Ph.D., Litt.D. Cambridge. Cambridge, Mass., Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann, Ltd. 1935-1940.
Remark :
context: Sapor II. planned to give the defenders of Amida another warning to surrender, which may have been the reason for the approach of Grumbates. (19.1.6)
