Verum ubi vimineas crates prae se ferentes, oppugnatores iam moenia perurgerent, cum sagittariis funditores, alii quin etiam saxa volventes ingentia, cum facibus et malleolis eos longius propulsabant,
Translation :
But when the besiegers, carrying before them hurdles of wicker work, were already threatening the walls, the enemy's slingers and archers, others even rolling down huge stones, with torches and fiery shafts tried to keep them at a distance;
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 :
long-term consequence: Both sides fought until the middle of the day, when they took a break from the combat due to the heat wearing the soldiers out. (24.4.17) long-term consequence: Ammianus further describes the use of ballistae and scorpions, but it is unclear which side uses them: "tum aptatae ligneis sagittis ballistae, flexus stridore torquebantur, creberrima spicula funditantes, et scorpiones quocumque manus peritae duxissent, rotundos lapides evibrabant."
