THE ROMAN HISTORY BY AMMIANUS MARCELLINUS, BOOK 14

Where plans are tested by experience, but things rush headlong with blind force, one must yield.

They all led the troops out in a swift advance; and having nimbly crossed the bridge of the Calicadnus River—the massive volume of whose waters flows past the towers of the city walls—they drew up in a formation intended for battle. Yet no one rushed out from the ranks, nor was anyone permitted to engage in close combat. For the Romans feared a band burning with madness, superior in number, and ready to rush upon the blade without regard for their own safety. Thus, seeing the army from afar and hearing the blare of the trumpeters original: "liticinum" — players of the lituus, a high-pitched Roman signal trumpet used by the cavalry, the bandits halted their step for a moment; then, brandishing their menacing swords, they began to advance more slowly. To meet them, the steadfast soldiers prepared by unfolding their ranks and striking their shields with their spears—a gesture that stirs the anger and pain of combatants—terrifying the enemy by their very posture.

The ardor of the soldiers must be tempered by the wisdom of the leaders.

But as the soldiers were rising eagerly for the fight, their leaders recalled them, thinking it untimely to undergo a risky battle when the walls were not far off, within whose protection the safety of everyone could be firmly established. Convinced by this reasoning, the warriors were led back within the fortifications. Having secured the entrances of the gates on all sides, they took their positions upon the ramparts and battlements, having stones and missiles gathered from everywhere ready at hand, so that if anyone ventured too far forward, he would be struck down by the multitude of projectiles and rocks.

It is the greatest security to ransom a greater danger with a smaller one.

However, what deeply troubled those shut inside the city was that the Isaurians, having captured the boats which were carrying grain along the river, now overflowed with supplies of food. The defenders themselves, meanwhile, having consumed their own stores of provisions, dreaded the fatal misery of the hunger that was fast approaching. When these reports had spread more widely and constant dispatches moved Gallus Caesar—since the Master of the Horse original: "magister equitum" — a high-ranking military office second only to the Emperor or Caesar was being kept away at that time by other matters—he ordered the Count of the East,

At last, the efforts of the bandits and rebels vanish into smoke.

Nebridius, to gather military forces from all sides. He hastened with great zeal to rescue this great and important city from its peril. Upon learning of his approach, the bandits withdrew, having achieved nothing further of note; they dispersed (as is their habit) and sought out the remote paths of the mountains.