Quidam fossam fidentius transire conati, repentinis eorum assultibus, qui erumpebant clanculo per posticas, ruebant incaute, aut saucii discedebant. Recursus enim ad moenia tutior, vallumque antemuranum caespitibus fultum, insidiantes ab omni discrimine defendebant.
Translation :
Some, who boldly tried to cross the moat, taken unawares by the sudden onslaughts of those that secretly rushed forth through the postern gates, either fell, if overbold, or withdrew wounded. For the return to the walls was safe and a rampart before the walls covered with turf protected from all danger those who lay in wait.
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.
