Frontinus: STRATEGEMATA

Si priores libri responderunt titulis suis et lectorem hucusque cum attentioneperduxerunt, edam nunc circa oppugnationes urbium defensionesque STRATEGEMATA. Nec morabor ulla praelocutione, prius traditurus quae oppugnandis urbibus usui sunt, tum quae obsessos instruere possint.

If the previous books have answered to their titles and have brought the reader thus far with attention, I now publish STRATAGEMS concerning the assaults of cities and their defenses. Nor will I delay with any preface, being about to set forth first the things that are of use for besieging cities, then those that can instruct the besieged.

Depositis autem operibus et machinamentis, quorum expleta iam pridem inventione nullam video ultra artium materiam, has circa expugnationem species STRATEGEMATON fecimus:

But with the works and machines set aside—whose invention has long since been completed, and beyond which I see no further material for the arts—we have made these kinds of STRATEGEMATA concerning assault:

I. De repentino impetu.
II. De fallendis his, qui obsidebuntur.
III.

1. On a sudden assault.
2. On deceiving those who will be besieged.
3.

De eliciendis ad proditionem.
IV. Per quae hostes ad inopiam redigantur.
V. Quemadmodum persuadeatur, obsidionem permansuram.

On eliciting treachery.
4. By which means the enemies may be reduced to penury.
5. In what manner it may be persuaded that the siege will endure.

VI. De districtione praesidiorum hostilium.
VII. De fluminum derivatione et vitiatione aquarum.

6. On the constraining of hostile garrisons.
7. On the derivation of rivers and the vitiation of waters.

VIII. De iniciendo obsessis pavore.
IX. De irruptione ex diversa parte, quam exspectabimur.

8. On instilling terror in the besieged.
9. On making an assault from a different quarter than we shall be expected.

X. De insidiis, per quas eliciantur obsessi.
XI. De simulatione regressus.

10. On ambushes, by which the besieged may be drawn out.
11. On the simulation of a retreat.

Ex contrario circa tutelam obsessorum:

On the contrary, concerning the protection of the besieged:

XII. De excitanda cura suorum.
XIII.

12. On rousing the care of one’s own men.
13.

De emittendo et recipiendo nuntio.
XIV. De introducendis auxiliis et commeatibus suggerendis.

On dispatching and receiving a messenger.
14. On introducing auxiliaries and supplying provisions.

XV. Quemadmodum efficiatur, ut abundare videantur, quae deerunt.
XVI. Qua ratione proditoribus et transfugis occurratur.

15. In what manner it may be effected that the things which will be lacking seem to abound.
16. By what method traitors and transfuges may be countered.

XVII. De eruptionibus.
XVIII.

17. On sorties.
18.

De constantia obsessorum.

On the constancy of the besieged.

DE REPENTINO IMPETU

ON A SUDDEN ASSAULT

T. Quintius consul, victis acie Aequis et Volscis, cum Antium oppidumexpugnare statuisset, ad contionem vocato exercitu exposuit, quam id necessarium et facile esset, si non differretur: eoque impetu, quem exhortatio concitaverat, aggressus urbem.

T. Quintius, consul, the Aequians and the Volsci having been defeated in pitched battle, when he had resolved to storm the town of Antium, with the army called to an assembly he explained how necessary and easy that would be, if it were not deferred: and with that impetus which the exhortation had aroused, he attacked the city.

M. Cato in Hispania animadvertit potiri se quodam oppido posse, si inopinatos invaderet. Quadridui itaque iter biduo per confragosa et deserta emensus nihil tale metuentes oppressit hostes. Victoribus deinde suis causam tam facilis eventus requirentibus dixit, tum illos victoriam adeptos, cum quadridui iter biduo corripuerint.

M. Cato in Spain took note that he could get possession of a certain town, if he attacked them unawares. Therefore, having in two days traversed a four-days’ march through rugged and deserted places, he overwhelmed the enemies, fearing nothing of the sort. Then, when his victorious men asked the cause of so easy an outcome, he said that they had then gained the victory when they had compressed a four-days’ march into two days.

DE FALLENDIS HIS, QUI OBSIDEBUNTUR

ON DECEIVING THOSE WHO WILL BE BESIEGED

Domitius Calvinus, cum obsideret Lueriam, oppidum Ligurum, non tantum situ et operibus, verum etiam propugnatorum praestantia tutum, circumire muros frequenter omnibus copiis instituit easdemque reducere in castra. Qua consuetudine inductis ita oppidanis, ut crederent exercitationis id gratia facere Romanum, et ob hoc nihil ab eo conatu caventibus, morem illum obambulandi in subitum direxit impetum occupatisque moenibus expressit, ut se ipsos dederent oppidani.

Domitius Calvinus, when he was besieging Lueria, a town of the Ligurians, safe not only by its site and works, but also by the excellence of its defenders, resolved to go around the walls frequently with all his forces and to lead the same back into camp. With the townsmen thus induced by this custom, so that they believed the Roman did it for the sake of exercise, and on account of this took no precautions against that attempt by him, he turned that habit of walking about into a sudden assault, and, the walls having been seized, he wrung from them that the townsmen should give themselves up.

C. Duellius consul subinde exercendo milites remigesque consecutus est, ut securis Carthaginiensibus usque in id tempus innoxiae consuetudinis subito admota classe murum occuparet.

C. Duellius, consul, by continually exercising the soldiers and the oarsmen, brought it about that, the Carthaginians secure, up to that time, in an innocuous custom, he suddenly, with the fleet brought up, seized the wall.

Hannibal in Italia multas urbes cepit, cum Romanorum habitu quosdamsuorum, ex longo belli usu latine quoque loquentis, praemitteret. Arcades Messeniorum castellum obsidentes, factis quibusdam armis ad similitudinem hostilium, eo tempore quo successura alia praesidia his exploraverant, instructi eorum, qui exspectabantur, ornatu admissique per hunc errorem ut socii, possessionem loci cum strage hostium adepti sunt.

Hannibal in Italy captured many cities, since he would send ahead some of his men in the garb of Romans, who, from the long usage of war, spoke Latin as well. The Arcadians, besieging a stronghold of the Messenians, having made certain arms in the likeness of the enemy’s, at the time when they had reconnoitered that other garrisons were due to succeed them, equipped with the outfit of those who were being expected and, through this error, admitted as allies, gained possession of the place with a slaughter of the enemy.

Cimon, dux Atheniensium, in Caria insidiatus cuidam civitati religiosum incolis templum Dianae lucumque, qui extra muros erat, noctu improvisus incendit: effusisque oppidanis ad opem adversus ignes ferendam vacuam defensoribus cepit urbem.

Cimon, leader of the Athenians, in Caria, having lain in wait against a certain city, by night unexpectedly set on fire the temple of Diana, held as religious by the inhabitants, and the grove, which was outside the walls: and when the townspeople had poured out to bring aid against the flames, he seized the city, empty of defenders.

Alcibiades, dux Atheniensium, cum civitatem Agrigentinorum egregie munitam obsideret, petito ab eis consilio diu tamquam de rebus ad commune pertinentibus disseruit in theatro, ubi ex more Graecorum locus consultationipraebebatur: dumque consilii specie tenet multitudinem, Athenienses,quos ad id praeparaverat, incustoditam urbem ceperunt.

Alcibiades, leader of the Athenians, when he was besieging the city of the Agrigentines, excellently fortified, having asked counsel from them, for a long time, as though about matters pertaining to the common interest, discoursed in the theatre, where, according to the custom of the Greeks, a place for consultation was provided: and while, under the guise of deliberation, he held the multitude, the Athenians, whom he had prepared for this, seized the city left unguarded.

Epaminondas Thebanus in Arcadia die festo effuse extra moenia vagantibus hostium feminis plerosque ex militibus suis muliebri ornatu immiscuit: qua simulatione illi intra portas sub noctem recepti ceperunt oppidum et suis aperuerunt.

Epaminondas the Theban, in Arcadia, on a festal day, when the enemy’s women were wandering in throngs outside the walls, mingled very many of his soldiers, in female attire, among them: by which simulation they, admitted within the gates toward nightfall, seized the town and opened it to their own men.

Aristippus Lacedaemonius festo die Tegeatarum, quo omnis multitudo ad celebrandum Minervae sacrum urbe egressa erat, iumenta saccis frumentariispalea refertis onusta Tegeam misit, agentibus ea militibus, qui negotiatorumspecie inobservati portas aperuerunt suis.

Aristippus the Lacedaemonian, on a feast day of the Tegeates, on which all the multitude had gone out from the city to celebrate Minerva’s sacred rite, sent to Tegea beasts of burden laden with grain-sacks packed with chaff, driven by soldiers, who, under the guise of merchants, unobserved opened the gates to their own men.

Antiochus in Cappadocia ex castello Suenda, quod obsidebat, iumenta frumentatum egressa intercepit occisisque calonibus eorundem vestitu milites suos tamquam frumentum reportantis summisit: quo errore illi custodibus deceptis castellum intraverunt admiseruntque milites Antiochi.

Antiochus in Cappadocia, from the castle Suenda, which he was besieging, intercepted the beasts of burden that had gone out to fetch grain; and after the camp-servants were slain, he sent forward his own soldiers in the same men’s garb, as though bringing back grain. By this deception, with the guards tricked, they entered the castle and admitted Antiochus’s soldiers.

Thebani, cum portum Sicyoniorum nulla vi redigere in potestatem suam possent, navem ingentem armatis compleverunt, exposita super merce, ut negotiatorum specie fallerent. Ab ea deinde parte murorum, quae longissimeremota erat a mari, paucos disposuerunt, cum quibus e nave quidam egressi inermes simulata rixa concurrerent: Sicyoniis ad dirimendum id iurgium advocatis, Thebanae naves et portum vacantem et urbem occupaverunt.

The Thebans, since they could by no force reduce the port of the Sicyonians into their power, filled a huge ship with armed men, the merchandise set out on top, so that under the guise of merchants they might deceive. From that part then of the walls, which was most far removed from the sea, they stationed a few, with whom certain men, having disembarked unarmed from the ship, might run together in a feigned brawl: the Sicyonians having been called to break up that quarrel, the Theban ships seized both the vacant port and the city.

Timarchus Aetolus, occiso Charmade Ptolomaei regis praefecto, clamide interempti et galeari ad Macedonicum ornatus habitum: per hunc errorem pro Charmade in Saniorum portum receptus occupavit.

Timarchus the Aetolian, with Charmades, the prefect of King Ptolemy, having been slain, wearing the chlamys of the slain and his helmet, arrayed in Macedonian habit: through this error, being received in the port of the Sanii as Charmades, he seized it.

DE ELICIENDIS AD PRODITIONEM

ON INDUCING TO TREASON

Papirius Cursor consul apud Tarentum Miloni, qui cum praesidio Epirotarum urbem obtinebat, salutem ipsi et popularibus, si per illum oppido poteretur, pollicitus est. Quibus praemiis ille corruptus persuasit Tarentinis, ut se legatum ad consulem mitterent: a quo plena promissa ex pacto referens in securitatem oppidanos resolvit atque ita incustoditam urbem Cursori tradidit.

Papirius Cursor, consul, at Tarentum promised safety to Milo, who was holding the city with a garrison of Epirotes, to himself and his compatriots, if through him he could gain possession of the town. Corrupted by these rewards, he persuaded the Tarentines to send him as a legate to the consul; returning from him, reporting full promises in accordance with the pact, he relaxed the townsfolk into security and thus handed over the city, unguarded, to Cursor.

M. Marcellus, cum Syracusanum quendam Sosistratum ad proditionemsollicitasset, ex eo cognovit remissiores custodias fore die festo, quo Epicydes praebiturus esset vini epularumque copiam: insidiatus igitur hilaritati et, quae eam sequebatur, socordiae munimenta conscendit vigilibusquecaesis aperuit exercitui Romano urbem nobilibus victoriis claram.

M. Marcellus, when he had solicited a certain Syracusan, Sosistratus, to treachery, learned from him that the watches would be more remiss on the feast day, on which Epicydes was going to furnish a copious supply of wine and feasting: therefore, lying in wait for the hilarity and the sluggishness which followed it, he scaled the fortifications, and, the sentries cut down, opened to the Roman army a city renowned for noble victories.

Tarquinius Superbus, cum Gabios in deditionem accipere non posset, filium suum Sextum Tarquinium caesum virgis ad hostem misit. Is incusatapatris saevitia persuasit Gabinis, odio suo adversus regem uterentur: et dux ad bellum electus tradidit patri Gabios.

Tarquinius Superbus, since he could not receive Gabii into surrender, sent his son Sextus Tarquinius, beaten with rods, to the enemy. He, after alleging his father’s savagery, persuaded the Gabini to make use of his own hatred against the king; and, chosen as leader for war, he handed over Gabii to his father.

Cyrus, Persarum rex, comitem suum Zopyrum, explorata eius fide, truncata de industria facie, ad hostes dimisit. Ille assentante iniuriarum fide, creditus inimicissimus Cyro, cum hanc persuasionem adiuvaret procurrendopropius, quotiens acie decertaretur, et in eum tela dirigendo, commissamsibi Babyloniorum urbem tradidit Cyro.

Cyrus, king of the Persians, after the loyalty of his companion Zopyrus had been explored, sent him, his face deliberately mutilated, to the enemies. He, with the credibility of the injuries assenting, believed most inimical to Cyrus, since he was aiding this persuasion by running forward nearer whenever it was contested in the battle-line, and by directing missiles at him, handed over to Cyrus the city of the Babylonians that had been committed to him.

Philippus, oppido Saniorum exclusus, Apollonidi praefecto eorum ad proditionem corrupto persuasit, ut plaustrum lapide quadrato oneratum in ipso aditu portae poneret: confestim deinde signo dato insecutus oppidanoscirca impedita portae claustra trepidantis oppressit.

Philip, shut out from the town of the Sanii, after Apollonides, their prefect, had been corrupted to betrayal, persuaded him to place a wagon loaded with a squared stone in the very approach of the gate: forthwith then, the signal having been given, following up he overpowered the townsmen, panicking around the impeded bars of the gate.

Hannibal apud Tarentum, quae a praesidio Romano duce Livio tenebatur,Cononeum quendam Tarentinum, quem ad proditionem sollicitaverat,eiusmodi fallacia instruxit, ut ille per causam venandi noctu procederet,quasi id per hostem interdiu non liceret. Egresso ipsi apros subministrabant,quos ille tamquam ex captura Livio offerret; idque cum saepius factum esset et ideo minus observaretur, quadam nocte Hannibal venatorumhabitu Poenos comitibus eius immiscuit: qui cum onusti venatione, quam ferebant, recepti essent a custodibus, protinus eos adorti occiderunt. Tum fracta porta admissus cum exercitu Hannibal omnes Romanos interfecit,exceptis his, qui in arcem profugerant.

Hannibal at Tarentum, which was held by a Roman praesidium under the commander Livius, equipped a certain Tarentine named Cononeus, whom he had solicited to treason, with a fallacy of this sort: that he should go forth by night under the pretext of hunting, as if that were not permitted by the enemy by day. As he went out, they supplied him with boars, which he would offer to Livius as if from his capture; and when this had been done rather often and was therefore less observed, on a certain night Hannibal, in hunters’ garb, mixed Punic men among his companions: who, when, laden with the game which they were carrying, they had been received by the guards, immediately, having attacked them, slew them. Then, the gate having been broken, Hannibal, admitted with his army, slew all the Romans, except those who had fled into the citadel.

Lysimachus, rex Macedonum, cum Ephesios oppugnaret et illi in auxilio haberent Mandronem archipiratam, qui plerumque oneratas praeda naves Ephesum appellebat, corrupto ei ad proditionem iunxit fortissimos Macedonum, quos ille restrictis manibus pro captivis Ephesum introduceret:postea raptis ex arce armis urbem Lysimacho tradiderunt.

Lysimachus, king of the Macedonians, when he was attacking the Ephesians and they had in aid Mandron, the arch-pirate, who very often put in to Ephesus with ships loaded with booty, after corrupting him to treachery joined to him the bravest of the Macedonians, whom that man, with their hands bound, might lead into Ephesus as captives:afterwards, with arms snatched from the citadel, they handed the city over to Lysimachus.

PER QUAE HOSTES AD INOPIAM REDIGANTUR

BY WHICH THE ENEMIES MAY BE REDUCED TO INDIGENCE

Fabius Maximus vastatis Campanorum agris, ne quid eis ad fiduciam obsidionis superesset, recessit sementis tempore, ut frumentum, quod reliquumhabebant, in sationes conferrent: reversus deinde renata protrivit et ad famem redactis potitus est.

Fabius Maximus, the fields of the Campanians having been devastated, withdrew at sowing-time, lest anything should remain to them for confidence in a siege, so that they might carry the grain which they had remaining into the sowings: then, having returned, he trampled down the new growth and, with them reduced to famine, gained the mastery.

Antigonus adversus Athenienses idem fecit.

Antigonus did the same against the Athenians.

Dionysius, multis urbibus captis, cum Reginos aggredi vellet, qui copiis abundabant, simulabat pacem petitque ab eis, ut commeatus exercituiipsius sumministrarent: quod cum impetrasset, exhausto oppidanorum frumento aggressus urbem alimentis destitutam superavit.

Dionysius, with many cities taken, when he wished to attack the Rhegians, who abounded in copious resources, feigned peace and asked of them that they supply provisions to his army; and when he had obtained this, the townsmen’s grain having been exhausted, he attacked the city and, destitute of aliments, he overcame it.

Idem et adversus Himeraeos fecisse dicitur.

He is said to have done the same also against the Himeraeans.

Alexander oppugnaturus Leucadiam commeatibus abundantem prius castella, quae in confinio erant, cepit omnesque ex his Leucadiam passus est confugere, ut alimenta inter multos celerius absumerentur.

Alexander, intending to besiege Leucadia, abundant in supplies, first seized the forts which were in the confines, and allowed all from these to take refuge in Leucadia, so that the provisions might be consumed more swiftly among many.

Phalaris Agrigentinus, cum quaedam loca munitione tuta in Sicilia oppugnaret, simulato foedere frumenta, quae residua habere se dicebat, apud eos deposuit: deinde data opera, ut camerae tectorum, in quibus id conferebatur,rescissae pluviam reciperent, [id] fiducia conditi commeatus proprio tritico abusos initio aestatis aggressus inopia compulit ad deditionem.

Phalaris of Agrigentum, when he was besieging certain places secure by fortification in Sicily, with a simulated treaty deposited among them the grain which he said he had left; then, with care taken that the chambers of the roofs, in which it was being stored, once cut open should receive the rain, [that] relying on the stored provisions, after they had used up their own wheat, at the beginning of summer he attacked them and by want compelled them to surrender.

QUEMADMODUM PERSUADEATUR, OBSIDIONEM PERMANSURAM

HOW IT MAY BE PERSUADED, THAT THE SIEGE WILL PERSIST

Clearchus Lacedaemonius, exploratum habens Thracas omnia victui necessaria in montes comportasse unaque spe sustentari, quod crederent eum commeatus inopia recessurum, per id tempus, quo legatos eorum venturos opinabatur, aliquem ex captivis in conspectu iussit occidi et membratim tamquam alimenti causa in contubernia distribui: Thraces nihil non facturum perseverantiae causa eum credentes, qui tam detestabiles epulas sustinuisset experiri, in deditionem venerunt.

Clearchus the Lacedaemonian, having ascertained that the Thracians had carried into the mountains everything necessary for victuals and were sustained by a single hope—namely, that they believed he would withdraw for lack of supplies—at the time when he supposed their legates would come, ordered one of the captives to be killed in their sight and, limb by limb, to be distributed to the contubernia as if for the sake of nourishment: the Thracians, believing him, who had endured to try such detestable banquets, ready to do absolutely anything for the sake of perseverance, came into surrender.

Ti. Gracchus, Lusitanis dicentibus in X annos cibaria se habere et ideo obsidionem non expavescere, "undecimo", inquit, "anno vos capiam": qua voce perterriti Lusitani, quamvis instructi commeatibus, statim se dediderunt.

Tiberius Gracchus, when the Lusitanians were saying that they had provisions for 10 years and therefore did not dread a siege, said, "In the eleventh year I will capture you": at this word, terrified, the Lusitanians—although equipped with supplies—immediately surrendered.

A. Torquato Graecam urbem oppugnanti cum diceretur iuventutem ibi studiose iaculis et sagittis exerceri, "pluris eam", inquit, "propediem vendam."

A. Torquatus, while besieging a Greek city, when it was said that the youth there were diligently exercised with javelins and arrows, said, "I will sell it for a higher price before long."

DE DISTRICTIONE PRAESIDIORUM HOSTIUM

ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE ENEMY'S GARRISONS

Scipio, Hannibale in Africam reverso, cum plura oppida, quae ratio illi in potestatem redigenda dictabat, firmis praesidiis diversae partis obtinerentur, subinde aliquam manum submittebat ad infestanda ea. Novissime etiam tamquam direpturus civitates aderat, deinde simulato metu refugiebat.

Scipio, with Hannibal returned into Africa, since several towns—which reason dictated to him were to be reduced into his power—were held by strong garrisons of the opposite party, from time to time he would dispatch some detachment to infest them. Finally also he was present as though about to plunder the cities; then, with fear simulated, he would retreat.

Hannibal, ratus veram esse eius trepidationem, deductis undique praesidiis, tamquam de summa rerum decertaturus insequi coepit: ita consecutus Scipio, quod petierat, nudatas propugnatoribus urbis per Masinissam et Numidas cepit.

Hannibal, thinking his trepidation to be true, with the garrisons drawn off from every side, began to pursue as though he were about to contend for the summa of affairs: thus Scipio, having achieved what he had sought, took the cities stripped of defenders through Masinissa and the Numidians.

P. Cornelius Scipio, intellecta difficultate expugnandi Delminum, quia concursu omnium defendebatur, aggredi alia oppida coepit et evocatis ad sua defendenda singulis vacuatam auxiliis Delminum cepit.

P. Cornelius Scipio, with the difficulty of storming Delminium understood, since it was defended by the concourse of all, began to attack other towns, and, with each summoned to defend his own, took Delminium emptied of auxiliaries.

Pyrrhus, Epirotarum rex, adversus Illyrios, cum civitatem, quae caput gentis erat, redigere in potestatem suam vellet, eius desperatione ceteras urbes petere coepit consecutusque est, ut hostes fiducia velut satis munitae urbis eius ad tutelam aliarum dilaberentur: quo facto revocatis ipse rursus omnibus suis vacuam eam defensoribus cepit.

Pyrrhus, king of the Epirotes, against the Illyrians, when he wished to reduce the city which was the head of the nation into his own power, at its despair began to seek the other cities, and he achieved that the enemies, with confidence as though in a sufficiently fortified city of theirs, would slip away for the protection of the others: this having been done, with all his own recalled, he himself again took it empty of defenders.

Cornelius Rufinus consul, cum aliquanto tempore Crotona oppidum frustra obsedisset, quod inexpugnabile faciebat assumpta in praesidium Lucanorum manus, simulavit se coepto desistere. Captivum deinde magno praemio sollicitatum misit Crotona, qui tamquam ex custodia effugisset, persuasit discessisse Romanos: id verum Crotonienses arbitrati dimisere auxilia destitutique propugnatoribus inopinati et invalidi capti sunt.

Consul Cornelius Rufinus, when for quite some time he had besieged the town of Crotona in vain, which was made inexpugnable by a band of Lucanians taken into garrison, pretended to desist from his undertaking. Then he sent to Crotona a captive, suborned with a great reward, who, as though he had escaped from custody, persuaded them that the Romans had departed: the Crotoniates, thinking this true, dismissed the auxiliaries, and, left without defenders, taken unawares and weak, were captured.

Mago, dux Carthaginiensium, victo Cn. Pisone et in quadam turre circumsesso, suspicatus ventura ei subsidia perfugam misit, qui persuaderet appropinquantibus captum iam Pisonem: qua ratione deterritis eis reliqua victoriae consummavit.

Mago, leader of the Carthaginians, with Gnaeus Piso defeated and besieged in a certain tower, suspecting that reinforcements would come to him, sent a defector to persuade those approaching that Piso had already been captured; by this method, with them deterred, he consummated the rest of the victory.

Alcibiades in Sicilia, cum Syracusanos capere vellet, ex Catiniensibus, apud quos tum exercitum continebat, quendam exploratae sollertiae submisitad Syracusanos. Is in publicum consilium introductus persuasit infestissimos esse Catinienses Atheniensibus et, si adiuvarentur a Syracusanis,futurum, ut opprimerent eos et Alcibiadem; qua re adducti Syracusani universis viribus Catinam petituri processerunt, relicta ipsorum urbe, quam a tergo adortus Alcibiades ac desolatam, ut speraverat, afflixit.

Alcibiades in Sicily, when he wished to seize the Syracusans, from among the Catanians, with whom he was then keeping his army, sent to the Syracusans a certain man of proven shrewdness. He, introduced into the public council, persuaded them that the Catanians were most hostile to the Athenians and that, if they were aided by the Syracusans, it would come about that they would overwhelm them and Alcibiades; wherefore, led by this, the Syracusans advanced, about to make for Catana with all their forces, their own city left behind, which Alcibiades, having assailed from the rear and found desolate, as he had hoped, crushed.

Cleonymus Atheniensis Troezenios, qui praesidio Crateri tenebant<ur>, aggressus tela quaedam, in quibus scriptum erat venisse se ad liberandam eorum rem publicam, intra muros iecit et eodem tempore captivos quosdam conciliatos sibi remisit, qui Craterum detractarent: per hoc consilium seditione intestina apud obsessos concitata admoto exercitu potitus est civitate.

Cleonymus the Athenian, having attacked the Troezenians, who were being held by the garrison of Craterus, threw within the walls certain missiles on which it had been written that he had come to liberate their commonwealth, and at the same time sent back some captives won over to himself, to detract from Craterus: by this plan, with an internal sedition stirred up among the besieged and the army brought up, he gained possession of the city.

DE FLUMINUM DERIVATIONE ET VITIATIONE AQUARUM

ON THE DIVERSION OF RIVERS AND THE VITIATION OF WATERS

P. Servilius Isauram oppidum, flumine ex quo hostes aquabantur averso, ad deditionem siti compulit.

P. Servilius, with the river—from which the enemies drew water—diverted, compelled the town of Isaura to surrender by thirst.

C. Caesar in Gallia Cadurcorum civitatem amne cinctam et fontibus abundantem ad inopiam aquae redegit, cum fontes cuniculis avertisset et fluminis usum per sagittarios arcuisset.

C. Caesar in Gaul reduced the city of the Cadurci, girded by a river and abounding in springs, to a want of water, since he had diverted the springs by tunnels and had barred the use of the river by means of archers.

Q. Metellus in Hispania citeriore in castra hostium humili loco posita fluvium ex superiore parte immisit et subita inundatione turbatos per dispositos in hoc ipsum insidiatores cecidit.

Q. Metellus, in Hither Spain, let a river in from the upper part into the enemy camp, set in a low-lying place, and, when they were thrown into confusion by a sudden inundation, he struck them by means of ambushers deployed for this very purpose.

Alexander apud Babylona, quae media flumine Euphrate dividebatur, fossam pariter et aggerem instituit, ut in usum eius existimarent hostes egeri terram: atque ita subito flumine averso per alveum veterem, qui siccatus ingressum praebebat, urbem intravit.

Alexander at Babylon, which was divided in the middle by the river Euphrates, instituted a ditch and likewise a rampart, so that the enemies might suppose the earth was being carried out for its use: and thus, the river having been suddenly diverted, through the old channel, which, dried out, afforded entrance, he entered the city.

Samiramis adversus eosdem Babylonios eodem Euphrate averso idem fecisse dicitur.

Semiramis is said to have done the same against the same Babylonians, with the same Euphrates turned aside.

Clisthenes Sicyonius ductum aquarum in oppidum Crisaeorum ferentem rupit: mox affectis siti restituit aquam elleboro corruptam, qua usos profluvioventris deficientes cepit.

Clisthenes the Sicyonian broke the aqueduct carrying the waters into the town of the Crisaeans: soon, when they were afflicted with thirst, he restored the water, corrupted with hellebore, and, after they had used it, he captured them, collapsing from a flux of the belly.

DE INICIENDO OBSESSIS PAVORE

ON INSTILLING FEAR IN THE BESIEGED

Philippus, cum Prinassum castellum nulla vi capere posset, terram ante ipsos muros egessit simulavitque agi cuniculum: castellani, quia subrutos se existimarant, dediderunt.

Philip, since he could capture the castle of Prinassus by no force, dug out earth before the very walls and pretended that a mine was being driven: the castellans, because they supposed themselves undermined, surrendered.

Pelopidas Thebanus Magnetum duo oppida simul oppugnaturus non ita longo spatio distantia, quo tempore ad alterum eorum exercitum admovebat,praecepit, ut ex composito ab aliis castris quattuor equites coronati notabili alacritate velut victoriam nuntiantes venirent. Ad cuius simulationemcuravit, ut silva, quae in medio erat, incenderetur, praebitura speciem urbis ardentis; praeterea quosdam captivorum habitu eodem iussit perduci: qua asseveratione perterriti qui obsidebantur, dum in parte iam se superatos existimant, defecerunt.

Pelopidas the Theban, about to assault at the same time two towns of the Magnetes not at so long a distance apart, at the time when he was moving his army up to one of them, ordered, that by prior arrangement from the other camp four horsemen, crowned, with notable alacrity, as if announcing victory, should come. For the sake of which simulationhe took care that the wood which was in the middle be set on fire, about to offer the appearance of a city burning; moreover he ordered that some in the guise of captives be led the same way: by which asseveration, those who were being besieged, terrified, while they supposed that on one side they were already overcome, defected.

Cyrus, Persarum rex, incluso Sardibus Croeso, qua praeruptus mons nullum aditum praestabat ad moenia, malos exaequantis altitudinem iugi subrexit, quibus simulacra hominum armata Persici habitus imposuerat, noctuque eos monti admovit. Tum prima luce ex altera parte muros aggressus:ubi orto sole simulacra illa armatorum referentia habitum refulserunt, oppidani captam urbem a tergo credentes et ob hoc in fugam dilapsi victoriamhostibus concesserunt.

Cyrus, king of the Persians, with Croesus shut up in Sardis, where a precipitous mountain afforded no access to the walls, raised masts equal to the height of the ridge, upon which he had placed simulacra of men armed in Persian habit, and by night he brought them up to the mountain. Then at first light he attacked the walls from the other side; when the sun rose and those simulacra of armed men, reproducing the appearance, flashed back in a gleam, the townsmen, believing the city to have been taken in the rear and on this account scattering in flight, conceded the victory to the enemy.

DE IRRUPTIONE EX DIVERSA PARTE, QUAM EXSPECTABIMUR

ON THE IRRUPTION FROM A DIFFERENT SIDE, WHICH SHALL BE EXPECTED OF US

Scipio apud Carthaginem sub discessum aestus maritimi, secutus deum, ut dicebat, ducem, ad muros urbis accessit et cedente stagno, qua non exspectabatur, irrupit.

Scipio at Carthage, at the ebb of the maritime tide, following a god, as he said, as leader, approached the walls of the city and, the lagoon receding, burst in where he was not expected.

Fabius Maximus, Cunctatoris filius, apud Arpos praesidio Hannibalis occupatos, considerato situ urbis, sescentos milites obscura nocte misit, qui per munitam eoque minus frequentem oppidi partem scalis evecti in murum portas revellerent. Hi adiuti decidentium aquarum sono, qui operis strepitum obscurabat, iussa peragunt: ipse dato signo ab alia parte aggressus cepit Arpos.

Fabius Maximus, son of the Cunctator, near Arpos occupied by a garrison of Hannibal, the site of the city having been considered, sent six hundred soldiers on a dark night, who, carried up by ladders onto the wall through the fortified and therefore less-frequented part of the town, might wrench open the gates. These, aided by the sound of falling waters, which was obscuring the noise of the work, execute the orders: he himself, with the signal given, having attacked from another quarter, took Arpos.

C. Marius bello Iugurthino apud flumen Mulucham, cum oppugnaret castellum in monte saxeo situm, quod una et angusta semita adibatur, cetera parte velut consulto praecipiti, nuntiato sibi per Ligurem quendam ex auxiliis gregalem militem, qui forte aquatum progressus, dum per saxa montis cocleas legit, ad summa pervenerat, erepi posse in castellum, paucos centuriones perfectissimos cum velocissimis militibus, quibus aeneatores immiscuerat, misit capite pedibusque nudis, ut prospectus nisusque per saxa facilior foret, scutis gladiisque tergo aptatis. Hi Ligure ducente loris et clavis, quibus in ascensu nitebantur, adiuti, cum ad posteriora et ob id vacua defensoribus castelli pervenissent, concinere et tumultuari, ut praeceptumerat, coeperunt: ad quod constitutum Marius constantius adhortatus suos acrius instare castellanis coepit, quos ab imbelli multitudine suorum revocatos, tamquam a tergo capti essent, insecutus castellum cepit.

Gaius Marius in the Jugurthine War at the river Mulucha, when he was assaulting a castle set on a rocky mountain, which was approached by a single and narrow path, the rest on every side as if by design precipitous, upon its being reported to him by a certain Ligurian from the auxiliaries—a rank-and-file soldier—who by chance, having gone out to fetch water, while he was picking snails among the rocks of the mountain, had reached the heights, that one could creep into the castle, sent a few most accomplished centurions with the swiftest soldiers, among whom he had intermixed aeneators (brass-blowers), with head and feet bare so that sightline and footing over the rocks might be easier, their shields and swords fitted to the back. These, the Ligurian leading, aided by straps and nails, on which they relied in the ascent, when they had reached the rear parts of the castle, and for that reason empty of defenders, began, as he had instructed, to sound in concert and to raise a tumult; at this prearranged signal Marius, having encouraged his men more steadily, began to press the castellans more sharply, and, as they were drawn back by the unwarlike multitude of their own people, as though they had been taken in the rear, pursuing them he took the castle.

L. Cornelius Rufinus consul complura Sardiniae cepit oppida, dum firmissimas partes copiarum noctu exponit, quibus praecipiebat, delitiscerentopperirenturque tempus, quo ipse naves appelleret: occurrentibus deinde adventanti hostibus et ab ipso per simulationem fugae longius ad persequendum avocatis, illi in relictas ab his urbes impetum fecerunt.

Lucius Cornelius Rufinus, consul, captured several towns of Sardinia, while he deployed by night the strongest parts of his forces, whom he instructed to hide and to wait for the time when he himself would bring the ships to shore: then, as the enemies ran to meet him as he approached and were drawn off farther to pursue by a feint of flight on his part, those men made an assault upon the cities left behind by them.

Pericles, <dux> Atheniensium, cum oppugnaret quandam civitatem magno consensu defendentium tutam, nocte ab ea parte murorum, quae mari adiacebat, classicum cani clamoremque tolli iussit: hostes penetratum illic in oppidum rati reliquerunt portas, per quas Pericles destitutas praesidio irrupit.

Pericles, leader of the Athenians, when he was besieging a certain city kept safe by the great consensus of its defenders, at night from that part of the walls which was adjacent to the sea ordered the war-trumpet to be sounded and a clamor to be raised: the enemies, thinking that an entry had been made there into the town, left the gates, through which, left destitute of a garrison, Pericles burst in.

Alcibiades, dux Atheniensium, Cyzicum oppugnandae eius causa nocteimprovisus accessit et ex diversa parte moenium cornicines canere iussit. Sufficere propugnatores murorum poterant: ad id latus, a quo solo se temptari putabant, cum confluerent, qua non obsistebatur, muros transcendit.

Alcibiades, leader of the Athenians, approached Cyzicus by night unanticipated for the purpose of attacking it, and ordered horn‑blowers to sound from the opposite side of the walls. The defenders of the walls were able to suffice: as they were converging to that flank from which alone they thought themselves to be assailed, he, where no resistance was offered, transcended the walls.

Thrasybulus, dux Milesiorum, ut portum Sicyoniorum occuparet, a terra subinde oppidanos temptavit et illo, quo lacessebantur, conversis hostibus classe in<ex>spectata portum cepit.

Thrasybulus, leader of the Milesians, in order to seize the port of the Sicyonians, again and again tested the townspeople from the land; and when the enemies had turned to that quarter by which they were being provoked, with an unexpected fleet he took the port.

Philippus in obsidione cuiusdam maritimae urbis binas naves procul a conspectu contabulavit superstruxitque eis turres: aliis deinde turribus adortus a terra, dum urbis propugnatores distringit, turritas naves a mari applicuit et, qua non resistebatur, subiit muros.

Philip, in the siege of a certain maritime city, decked over two ships far from sight and superstructed towers upon them; then, attacking from the land with other towers, while he distracts the city’s defenders, he brought alongside from the sea the towered ships and, where there was no resistance, approached the walls.

Pericles Peloponnesiorum castellum oppugnaturus, in quod duo omnino erant accessus, alterum fossa interclusit, alterum munire instituit. <>Castellani securiores ab altera parte facti eam solam, quam muniri videbant, custodire coeperunt: Pericles praeparatis pontibus iniectisque super fossam, qua non cavebatur, subiit castellum.

Pericles, about to attack a fort of the Peloponnesians, to which there were in all two approaches, blocked one with a ditch, and set about fortifying the other. <>The castellans, made more secure on the other side, began to guard only that which they saw being fortified; Pericles, bridges prepared and cast over the ditch at the place where no precautions were being taken, entered the fort.

Antiochus adversus Ephesios Rhodiis, quos in auxilio habebat, praecepit,ut nocte portum cum magno strepitu invaderent: ad quam partem omni multitudine cum tumultu decurrente, nudatis defensore reliquis munitionibus, ipse a dverso aggressus civitatem cepit.

Antiochus against the Ephesians ordered the Rhodians, whom he had as auxiliaries,that by night they should invade the harbor with great noise: to which quarter, as the whole multitude ran down with tumult, the remaining fortifications, stripped of a defender, he himself, attacking from the dverse side, seized the city.

DE DISPONENDIS INSIDIIS, IN QUAS ELICIANTUR OBSESSI

ON THE DISPOSITION OF AMBUSHES, INTO WHICH THE BESIEGED MAY BE ENTICED

Cato in conspectu Lacetanorum, quos obsidebat, reliquis suorum summotis,Suess<et>anos quosdam ex auxiliaribus maxime imbelles aggredi moenia iussit: hos cum facta eruptione Lacetani facile avertissent et fugientesavide insecuti essent, illis quos occultaverat coortis oppidum cepit.

Cato, in the sight of the Lacetani, whom he was besieging, after removing the rest of his own men, ordered certain Suessetani from the auxiliaries, very unwarlike, to assault the walls: when the Lacetani, a sortie having been made, had easily driven these off and were eagerly pursuing them as they fled, he, with those whom he had concealed rising up, seized the town.

L. Scipio in Sardinia, cuiusdam civitatis parte militum relicta oppugnatione,quam instruxerat, speciem fugientis praestitit: insecutisque temere oppidanis per eos, quos in proximo occultaverat, oppidum invasit.

L. Scipio in Sardinia, with a portion of soldiers left for the assault upon a certain city,which he had arranged, presented the appearance of one fleeing: and when the townsmen recklessly pursued, through those whom he had concealed nearby, he invaded the town.

Hannibal, cum obsideret civitatem Himeram, castra sua capi de industria passus est, iussis recedere Poenis, tamquam praevaleret hostis: quo eventu Himeraeis ita deceptis, ut gaudio impulsi relicta urbe procurrerent ad Punicum vallum, Hannibal vacuam urbem per eos, quos in insidiis ad hanc ipsam occasionem posuerat, cepit.

Hannibal, when he was besieging the city Himera, allowed his camp to be seized deliberately, the Carthaginians having been ordered to withdraw, as though the enemy were prevailing: with this outcome the Himeraeans thus deceived, so that, impelled by joy, leaving the city they rushed out to the Punic rampart, Hannibal seized the empty city through those whom he had placed in ambush for this very occasion.

Idem, ut Saguntinos eliceret, rara acie ad muros accedens ad primam eruptionem oppidanorum simulata fuga cessit interpositoque exercitu ab oppido interclusos a suis hostes in medio trucidavit.

The same man, in order to draw out the Saguntines, approaching the walls with a sparse battle-line, at the first sally of the townsmen yielded in a simulated flight, and, with his army interposed, he slaughtered in the midst the enemies, cut off from the town and from their own men.

Himilco Carthaginiensis apud Agrigentum iuxta oppidum partem copiarum in insidiis posuit praecepitque his, ut, cum processissent oppidani, ligna umida incenderent. Deinde cum reliqua parte exercitus luce ad eliciendoshostes progressus simulata fuga persequentis oppidanos longius cedendo protraxit. Insidiatores prope moenia imperatum ignem acervis subiecerunt: unde obortum contemplati fumum Agrigentini incensam civitatem suam existimaverunt, defendendaeque eius gratia dum trepide recurrunt, obviis eis qui insidiati iuxta muros erant et a tergo instantibus quos persecuti fuerant, in medio trucidati sunt.

Himilco the Carthaginian, near Agrigentum close to the town, placed part of his forces in ambush and instructed them that, when the townsmen had come forth, they should ignite wet wood. Then, with the remaining part of the army, by daylight advancing to draw out the enemy, by a simulated flight he, yielding farther, drew the pursuing townsmen out. The ambushers near the walls applied the commanded fire to the heaps; whence, beholding the smoke that had arisen, the Agrigentines supposed their city had been set ablaze, and, for the sake of defending it, while in trepidation they ran back, being met by those who had lain in ambush near the walls and with those whom they had been pursuing pressing on from the rear, they were butchered in between.

Viriathus disposito per occulta milite paucos misit, qui abigerent pecora Segobrigensium: ad quae illi vindicanda cum frequentes procurrissentsimulantesque fugam praedatores persequerentur, deducti in insidias caesique sunt.

Viriathus, after stationing soldiers in hidden places, sent a few to drive off the herds of the Segobrigenses; to reclaim which, when they had run out in numbers and, pursuing the raiders who were feigning flight, were drawn into ambushes, they were cut down.

Scordisci equites, cum Heracleae dv<ers>arum partium praesidio praepositus esset Lucullus, pecora abigere simulantes provocaverunt eruptionem: fugam deinde mentiti sequentem Lucullum in insidias deduxeruntet octingentos cum eo milites occiderunt.

The Scordisci cavalry, when Lucullus had been put in charge of the garrison at Heraclea of diverse parties, pretending to drive off cattle, provoked a sally: then, feigning flight, they led Lucullus, as he was pursuing, into an ambush and killed eight hundred soldiers who were with him.

Chares, dux Atheniensium, civitatem aggressurus litori appositam, post quaedam promunturia occulte habita classe, e navibus velocissimam praeter hostilia praesidia ire iussit: qua visa cum omnia navigia, quae pro custodia portus agebant, ad persequendam evolassent, Chares indefensum portum cum reliqua classe invectus etiam civitatem occupavit.

Chares, leader of the Athenians, intending to attack a city set upon the shore, with the fleet kept secretly behind certain promontories, ordered the swiftest ship to go past the hostile garrisons: on seeing this, when all the vessels which were acting for the guard of the port had flown out to pursue, Chares, bringing the rest of the fleet into the undefended port, even occupied the city.

Barca, dux Poenorum, in Sicilia Lilybaeum nostris terra marique obsidentibus partem classis suae procul armatam iussit ostendi: ad eius conspectum cum evolassent nostri, ipse reliquis quas in occulto tenuerat navibus Lilybaei portum occupavit.

Barca, a Punic general, while our men were besieging Lilybaeum in Sicily by land and sea, ordered a part of his fleet, armed, to be shown at a distance: at the sight of it, when our men had flown out, he himself with the remaining ships which he had kept in hiding occupied the port of Lilybaeum.

DE SIMULATIONE REGRESSUS

ON THE SIMULATION OF A RETURN

Phormion, dux Atheniensium, cum depopulatus esset agros Chalcidensium,legatis eorum de ea re querentibus benigne respondit et nocte, qua dimissurus illos erat, finxit litteras sibi supervenisse civium suorum, propter quas redeundum haberet. Ac paulum regressus dimisit legatos: his omnia tuta et abisse Phormionem renuntiantibus, Chalcidenses spe et oblatae humanitatis et abducti exercitus remissa urbis custodia, cum confestim Phormion revertisset, prohibere inexspectatam vim non potuerunt.

Phormion, leader of the Athenians, when he had depopulated the fields of the Chalcidians, answered benignly to their legates complaining about that matter, and on the night on which he was about to dismiss them he pretended that letters had come in upon him from his fellow citizens, on account of which he would have to return. And having withdrawn a little he dismissed the legates; as these reported that all was safe and that Phormion had gone away, the Chalcidians, buoyed by the hope both of the proffered humanity and of the army withdrawn, with the guard of the city relaxed—when Phormion returned immediately—they could not ward off the unexpected force.

Agesilaus, dux Lacedaemoniorum, cum Phoc<ae>enses obsideret et intellexisset eos, qui tunc praesidio illis erant, iam gravari belli incommoda, paulum regressus tamquam ad alios actus liberam recendendi occasionem his dedit: non multo post milite reducto destitutos Phoc<ae>enses superavit.

Agesilaus, leader of the Lacedaemonians, when he was besieging the Phocaeans and had understood that those who at that time were their garrison were now growing burdened by the inconveniences of war, withdrew a little, as if to other business, and gave them a free opportunity of retreating: not long after, with the soldiery drawn back, he overcame the Phocaeans, left destitute.

Alcibiades adversus Byzantios, qui se moenibus continebant, insidias disposuit et simulato regressu incautos eos oppressit.

Alcibiades, against the Byzantines, who were keeping themselves within the walls, laid ambushes and, with a feigned retreat, crushed them unawares.

Viriathus, cum tridui iter discedens confecisset, idem illud uno die remensus securos Segobrigenses et sacrificio cum maxime occupatos oppressit.

Viriathus, when, departing, he had completed a three days’ march, having remeasured that same distance in a single day, overwhelmed the unsuspecting Segobrigenses, who were at that very moment most occupied with a sacrifice.

Epaminondas Mantinia<e>, cum Lacedaemonios in subsidium hosti venisse animadverteret, ratus posse Lacedaemonem occupari, si clam illo profectus esset, nocte crebros ignes fieri iussit, ut specie remanendi occultaret profectionem. Sed a transfuga proditus, assecuto exercitu Lacedaemoniorum, itinere quidem, quo Spartam petebat, destitit, idem tamen consilium convertit ad Mantinienses: aeque enim ignibus factis Lacedaemonios,quasi maneret, frustratus per quadraginta milia passuum revertit Mantiniam eamque auxilio destitutam occupavit.

Epaminondas at Mantinea, when he observed that the Lacedaemonians had come as a subsidium to the enemy, thinking that Lacedaemon could be occupied if he set out thither secretly, at night ordered frequent fires to be made, so that by the appearance of remaining he might hide his departure. But betrayed by a transfuge, with the army of the Lacedaemonians having come up, he indeed gave up the route by which he was making for Sparta; nevertheless he turned the same plan against the Mantineans: for, the fires having been made all the same, having tricked the Lacedaemonians,quasi he were remaining, he returned forty miles to Mantinea and seized it, left without auxilium.

EX CONTRARIO VERO CIRCA TUTELAM OBSESSORUM DE EXCITANDA CURA SUORUM

ON THE OTHER HAND, CONCERNING THE PROTECTION OF THE BESIEGED, ON AROUSING THE CARE OF THEIR OWN

Alcibiades, <dux> Atheniensium, civitate sua a Lacedaemoniis obsessa, veritus neglegentiam vigilum denuntiavit his qui in stationibus erant, observarent lumen, quod nocte ostenturus esset ex arce, et ad conspectum eius ipsi quoque lumina attollerent; in quo munere qui cessasset, poenam passurum: dum sollicite exspectatur signum ducis, pervigilatum ab omnibus et suspectae noctis periculum evitatum est.

Alcibiades, <leader> of the Athenians, with his city besieged by the Lacedaemonians, fearing the negligence of the watch, gave notice to those who were at the stations to observe the light which he would display by night from the citadel, and at its sight they too should raise lights; in which duty whoever should have failed would suffer punishment: while the leader’s signal was anxiously awaited, a vigilant watch was kept by all and the danger of the suspect night was averted.

Iphicrates, dux Atheniensium, cum praesidio Corinthum teneret et sub adventum hostium ipse vigilias circumiret, vigilem, quem dormientem invenerat, transfixit cuspide: quod factum quibusdam tamquam saevum increpantibus "qualem inveni", inquit, "talem reliqui." Epaminondas Thebanus idem fecisse dicitur.

Iphicrates, leader of the Athenians, when he was holding Corinth with a garrison and, at the approach of the enemy, was himself making the rounds of the watches, ran through with a spear-point the sentry whom he had found sleeping; as certain persons were reproaching the deed as savage, he said, "Such as I found him, such I left him." Epaminondas the Theban is said to have done the same.

DE EMITTENDO ET RECIPIENDO NUNTIO

ON DISPATCHING AND RECEIVING A MESSENGER

Romani, obsessi in Capitolio, ad Camillum ab exilio implorandum miserunt Pontium Cominium, qui, ut stationes Gallorum falleret, per saxa Tarpeia demissus tranato Tiberi Veios pervenit et perpetrata legatione similiter ad suos rediit.

The Romans, besieged on the Capitol, sent Pontius Cominius to implore Camillus back from exile, who, in order to deceive the stations of the Gauls, having been lowered along the Tarpeian rocks, with the Tiber swum across, reached Veii and, the legation accomplished, likewise returned to his own.

Campani, diligenter Romanis, a quibus obsessi erant, custodias agentibus,quendam pro transfuga subornatum miserunt, qui occultatam balteo epistulam inventa effugiendi causa [occasione] ad Poenos pertulit.

The Campanians, with the Romans, by whom they were besieged, diligently keeping the watches,they sent a certain man suborned as a deserter, who, an epistle concealed in his belt, having found a pretext for escaping [an opportunity], bore it to the Punics.

Venationi quoque et pecoribus quidam insuerunt litteras membranis mandatas; aliqui et iumento in aversam partem infulserunt, dum stationes transeunt; nonnulli interiora vaginarum inscripserunt.

Some indeed sewed letters, entrusted to membranes, into game and into herds; some also thrust them into a beast of burden in the hind part, while they pass the stations; some inscribed the interiors of scabbards.

L. Lucullus, Cyzicenos obsessos a Mithridate ut certiores adventus sui faceret, cum praesidiis hostium teneretur introitus urbis, qui unus et angustusponte modico insulam continenti iungit, militem e suis nandi et nauticae artis peritum iussit insidentem duobus inflatis utribus litteras insutas habentibus, quos ab inferiore parte duabus regulis inter se distantibuscommiserat, ire septem milium passuum traiectum: quod ita perite gregalis fecit, ut cruribus velut gubernaculis dimissis cursum dirigeret et procul visentis, qui in statione erant, marinae specie beluae deciperet.

L. Lucullus, in order to make the Cyzicenes, who were besieged by Mithridates, more certain of his arrival, since the entrance of the city was held by the enemy’s garrisons—the only entrance, and a narrow one, a modest bridge that joins the island to the mainland—ordered from his men a soldier skilled in swimming and in the nautical art, sitting upon two inflated skins that had letters sewn into them, which on the lower side he had connected with two little rods set apart from one another, to go a crossing of seven miles: which the ranker did so expertly that, with his legs let down as if rudders, he directed his course and, at a distance, deceived those watching on guard by the appearance of a sea-beast.

Hirtius consul ad Decimum Brutum, qui Mutinae ab Antonio obsidebatur,litteras subinde misit plumbo scriptas, quibus ad brachium religatis milites Scultennam amnem tranabant.

The consul Hirtius sent from time to time to Decimus Brutus, who was besieged at Mutina by Antonius, letters written on lead; with these bound to the arm, soldiers swam across the river Scultenna.

Idem columbis, quas inclusas ante tenebris et fame affecerat, epistulas saeta ad collum religabat easque a propinquo, in quantum poterat, moenibus loco emittebat. Illae lucis cibique avidae altissima aedificiorum petentes excipiebantur a Bruto, qui eo modo de omnibus rebus certior fiebat, utique postquam disposito quibusdam locis cibo columbas illuc devolare instituerat.

The same man would tie letters, with a bristle, to the necks of doves which he had previously kept shut up and afflicted with darkness and hunger, and he would release them from a nearby place, as far as he could, near the walls. They, eager for light and food, seeking the highest parts of the buildings, were intercepted by Brutus, who in that way was made certain about all matters, especially after, with food set in certain places, he had trained the doves to fly down there.

DE INTRODUCENDIS AUXILIIS ET COMMEATIBUS SUGGERENDIS

ON THE BRINGING-IN OF AUXILIARIES AND THE SUPPLYING OF PROVISIONS

Bello civili, cum Ategua urbs in Hispania Pompeianarum partium obsideretur, Maurus inter noc<tem> tamquam Caesarianus tribuni cornicularius vigiles quosdam excitavit: ex quibus <cum tesseram accepisset>, ali[qu]os excitans constantia fallaciae suae per medias Caesaris copias praesidium Pompei transduxit.

During the civil war, when the city of Ategua in Spain, of the Pompeian party, was being besieged, a Moor, in the night, pretending to be the cornicularius of a Caesarian tribune, roused certain sentries; from whom, when he had received the watchword, and rousing some, by the steadfastness of his deception he led Pompey’s garrison through the very midst of Caesar’s forces.

Hannibale obsidente Casilinum, Romani far in doliis secunda aqua Volturni fluminis demittebant, ut ab obsessis exciperetur. Quibus cum obiecta per medium amnem catena Hannibal obstitisset, nuces sparsere: quae cum aqua ferente ad oppidum defluerent, eo commeatu sociorum necessitatem sustentaverunt.

With Hannibal besieging Casilinum, the Romans were sending spelt in casks down with the favoring current of the river Volturnus, so that it might be taken up by the besieged. When Hannibal had opposed these with a chain thrown across the middle of the river, they scattered nuts: which, borne by the water, flowed down to the town, and by that supply they sustained the necessity of their allies.

Hirtius Mutinensibus obsessis ab Antonio salem, quo maxime indigebant,cupis conditum per amnem Scultennam intromisit.

Hirtius, to the Mutinans besieged by Antony, sent in salt, which they especially lacked,packed in casks, through the river Scultenna.

Idem pecora secunda aqua demisit, quae excepta sustentaverunt necessarioruminopiam.

He likewise sent down livestock with the current, which, once received, sustained the scarcity of necessities.

QUEMADMODUM EFFICIATUR, UT ABUNDARE VIDEANTUR, QUAE DEERUNT

HOW IT MAY BE BROUGHT ABOUT, THAT THE THINGS WHICH WILL BE LACKING SEEM TO ABOUND

Romani, cum a Gallis Capitolium obsideretur, in extrema iam fame panem in hostem iactaverunt consecutique, ut abundare commeatibus viderentur, obsidionem, donec Camillus subveniret, toleraverunt.

The Romans, when the Capitol was being besieged by the Gauls, now in extreme famine, threw bread at the enemy; and, having succeeded in making it appear that they abounded in supplies, they endured the siege until Camillus came to their aid.

Athenienses adversus Lacedaemonios idem fecisse dicuntur.

The Athenians are said to have done the same against the Lacedaemonians.

Hi, qui ab Hannibale Casilini obsidebantur, ad extremam famem pervenisse crediti, cum etiam herbas alimentis eorum Hannibal, arato loco qui erat inter castra ipsius et moenia, praeriperet, semina in praeparatum locum iecerunt, consecuti, ut habere viderentur, quo victum sustentarent usque ad satorum proventum.

These men, who were being besieged at Casilinum by Hannibal, were believed to have reached extreme famine; since Hannibal was even preempting the herbs for their aliments, the ground which was between his camp and the walls having been ploughed, they threw seeds into the prepared place, having achieved that they might seem to have that by which to sustain their victual until the produce of what was sown.

Reliqui ex Variana clade, cum obsiderentur, quia defici frumento videbantur, horrea tota nocte circumduxerunt captivos, deinde praecisis manibus dimiserunt: hi circumsedentibus suis persuaserunt, ne spem maturae expugnationis reponerent in fame Romanorum, quibus ingens alimentorum copia superesset.

The survivors from the Varian disaster, when they were being besieged, because they seemed to be running short of grain, led the captives around the granaries the whole night, then, after cutting off their hands, released them: these persuaded their besiegers not to repose hope of a timely capture in the starvation of the Romans, for whom an immense abundance of provisions remained.

Thraces in arduo monte obsessi, in quem hostibus accessus non erat, collato viritim exiguo tritico paucas oves paverunt <et egerunt> in hostium praesidia: quibus exceptis et occisis, cum frumenti vestigia in visceribus earum apparuissent, opinatus hostis magnam vim tritici superesse eis, qui inde etiam pecora pascerent, recessit ab obsidione.

The Thracians, besieged on a steep mountain, to which there was no access for the enemies, having contributed, man by man, a scant amount of wheat, fed a few sheep and drove them <et egerunt> into the enemy’s outposts: when these were seized and killed, and vestiges of grain appeared in their viscera, the enemy, supposing that a great quantity of wheat remained to them—who were even feeding their livestock from it—withdrew from the siege.

Thrasyblus, dux Milesiorum, cum longa obsidione milites sui angerentur ab Halyatte, qui sperabat eos ad deditionem fame posse compelli,sub adventum legatorum Halyattis frumentum omne in forum compelliiussit et conviviis sub id tempus institutis per totam urbem epulas praestitit: atque ita persuasit hosti superesse ipsis copias, quibus diuturnam sustinerent obsidionem.

Thrasyblus, leader of the Milesians, when by a long siege his soldiers were being distressed by Alyattes, who was hoping that they could be compelled to surrender by hunger, upon the arrival of Alyattes’s legates he ordered all the grain to be driven together into the forum, and, banquets instituted at that very time, he furnished feasts throughout the whole city: and thus he persuaded the enemy that supplies remained to them, with which they could sustain a long-lasting siege.

QUA RATIONE PRODITORIBUS ET TRANSFUGIS OCCURRATUR

BY WHAT METHOD TRAITORS AND DESERTERS MAY BE COUNTERED

Claudius Marcellus, cognito consilio L. Bantii Nolani, qui corrumperead defectionem populares studebat et Hannibali gratificabatur, quod illius beneficio curatus inter Cannenses saucius et ex captivitate remissusad suos erat, quia interficere eum, ne supplicio eius reliquos concitaret Nolanos, non audebat, arcessitum ad se allocutus est, dicens fortissimum militem eum esse, quod antea ignorasset, hortatusque est, ut secum moraretur,et super verborum honorem equo quoque donavit: qua benignitate non illius tantum fidem, sed etiam popularium, quae ex illo pendebat, sibi obligavit.

Claudius Marcellus, the plan of L. Bantius of Nola having been learned, who was striving to corrupt his fellow citizens toward defection and was gratifying Hannibal, because by that man’s beneficence he had been cared for, wounded at Cannae, and sent back from captivity to his own, since he did not dare to kill him, lest by his punishment he should stir up the remaining Nolans, summoned him to himself and addressed him, saying that he was a most brave soldier, which he had previously not known, and he exhorted him to remain with him, and over and above the honor of words he also bestowed a horse: by which benignity he bound to himself not only that man’s loyalty, but also that of his fellow citizens, which depended on him.

Hamilcar, dux Poenorum, cum frequenter auxiliares Galli ad Romanos transirent et iam ex consuetudine ut socii exciperentur, fidissimos subornavitad simulandam transitionem, qui Romanos excipiendorum causa eorum progressos ceciderunt: quae sollertia Hamilcari non tantum ad praesentem profuit successum, sed in posterum praestitit, ut Romanis veri quoque transfugae forent suspecti.

Hamilcar, leader of the Punics, when the auxiliary Gauls were frequently crossing over to the Romans and now, by custom, were being received as allies, suborned the most trustworthy to simulate a defection, who cut down the Romans when they advanced for the sake of receiving them: which cleverness not only profited Hamilcar for the present success, but also provided for the future that even true transfuges would be suspect to the Romans.

Hanno, Carthaginiensium imperator, in Sicilia, cum comperisset Gallorum mercennariorum circiter quattuor milia conspirasse ad transfugiendumad Romanos, quod aliquot mensum mercedes non receperant, animadvertere autem in eos non auderet metu seditionis, promisit prolationisiniuriam liberalitate pensaturum. Quo nomine gratias agentibus Gallis per tempus idoneum <prae>datur<os> pollicitus fidelissimum dispensatorem ad Otacilium consulem misit, qui, tamquam rationibus interversis transfugisset, nuntiavit nocte proxima Gallorum quattuor milia, quae praedatumforent missa, posse excipi. Otacilius nec statim credidit transfugae nec tamen rem spernendam ratus disposuit in insidiis lectissimam manum suorum.

Hanno, commander of the Carthaginians, in Sicily, when he had learned that about four thousand Gallic mercenaries had conspired to desert to the Romans because they had not received their wages for several months, but did not dare to punish them for fear of sedition, promised that he would compensate the injury of the delay by generosity. As the Gauls gave thanks under this pretext, having promised that at a suitable time they would go out to plunder, he sent a most faithful steward to Otacilius the consul, who, as though he had embezzled the accounts and deserted, reported that on the next night four thousand Gauls, who were to be sent out to raid, could be intercepted. Otacilius did not immediately believe the deserter, yet, thinking the matter not to be scorned, posted the choicest band of his men in ambush.

Ab ea Galli excepti dupliciter Hannonis consilio satisfecerunt: et Romanos ceciderunt et ipsi omnes interfecti sunt.

By this, the Gauls, taken in, satisfied Hanno’s counsel in a twofold way: both they cut down the Romans, and they themselves were all slain.

Hannibal simili consilio se a transfugis ultus est. Nam cum aliquos ex militibus suis sciret transisse proxima nocte nec ignoraret exploratores hostium in castris suis esse, palam pronuntiavit non debere transfugas vocari sollertissimos milites, qui ipsius iussu exierint ad excipienda hostium consilia. Auditis quae pronuntiavit, re<t>tulerunt exploratores ad suos: tum comprehensi a Romanis transfugae et amputatis manibus remissi sunt.

Hannibal, by a similar plan, avenged himself upon the defectors. For when he knew that some of his soldiers had crossed over the previous night, and was not unaware that the enemy’s scouts were in his camp, he openly proclaimed that the most skillful soldiers, who had gone out by his order to catch the counsels of the enemy, ought not to be called defectors. When they heard what he had proclaimed, the scouts reported back to their own men: then the defectors were seized by the Romans and, their hands cut off, were sent back.

Diodorus, cum praesidio Amphipolim tueretur et duo milia Thracum suspecta haberet, quae videbantur urbem direptura, mentitus paucas hostium naves proximo litori applicuisse easque diripi posse: qua spe stimulatos Thracas emisit ac deinde clausis portis non recepit.

Diodorus, while guarding Amphipolis with a garrison and considering two thousand Thracians suspect, who seemed about to sack the city, pretended that a few hostile ships had put in at the nearest shore and could be plundered: the Thracians, stimulated by this hope, he sent out, and then, with the gates closed, he did not take them back.

DE ERUPTIONIBUS

ON ERUPTIONS

Romani, qui in praesidio Panhormitanorum erant, veniente ad obsidionemHasdrubale raros ex industria in muros posuerunt defensores: quorum paucitate contempta cum incautus muris succederet Hasdrubal, eruptione facta ceciderunt eum.

The Romans, who were in the garrison of the Panormitans, with Hasdrubal coming to the siege, by design set sparse defenders on the walls; and when Hasdrubal, despising their paucity, was incautiously approaching the walls, a sortie having been made, they felled him.

Aemilius Paulus, universis Liguribus improviso adortis castra eius, simulato timore militem diu continuit: deinde fatigato iam hoste quattuor portis eruptione facta stravit cepitque Ligures.

Aemilius Paulus, when all the Ligurians had, unexpectedly, assaulted his camp, with fear simulated held his soldiery for a long time; then, with the enemy now wearied, a sally having been made from four gates, he laid low and captured the Ligurians.

Livius praefectus Romanorum arcem Tarentinorum tenens misit ad Hasdrubalem legatos, abire uti sibi incolumi liceret: ea simulatione ad securitatem perductum hostem eruptione facta cecidit.

Livius, prefect of the Romans, holding the citadel of the Tarentines, sent legates to Hasdrubal, that it might be permitted him to depart in safety; by that simulation, the enemy, brought to security, he cut down when a sortie was made.

Cn. Pompeius circumsessus ad Dyrrachium non tantum obsidione liberavit suos, verum etiam post eruptionem, quam opportuno et loco et tempore fecerat, Caesarem ad castellum, quod duplici munitione instructum erat, avide irrumpentem exterior ipse circumfusus corona obligavit, ut ille inter eos, quos obsidebat, et eos, qui extra circumvenerant, medius non leve periculum et detrimentum senserit.

Gnaeus Pompeius, besieged at Dyrrachium, not only freed his men from the siege, but also, after an eruption which he had made at an opportune place and time, bound Caesar, who was avidly breaking in toward a fort which had been equipped with a double fortification, he himself, on the outside, having surrounded him with a crown (ring), so that he, in the middle between those whom he was besieging and those who had surrounded from outside, sensed no slight danger and loss.

Flavius Fimbria in Asia apud Rhyndacum adversum filium Mithridatis,brachiis ab latere ductis, deinde fossa in fronte percussa, quietum in vallo militem tenuit, donec hostilis equitatus intraret angustias munimentorum:tunc eruptione facta sex milia eorum cecidit.

Flavius Fimbria in Asia at the Rhyndacus against the son of Mithridates,with arms drawn from the flank, then with a ditch struck in front, kept the soldiery quiet on the rampart, until the hostile cavalry entered the narrows of the muniments: then, a sally having been made, six thousand of them fell.

C. Caesar in Gallia, deletis ab Ambiorige Titurii Sabini et Cottae legatorum copiis, cum a Q. Cicerone, qui et ipse oppugnabatur, certior factus cum duabus legionibus adventaret, conversis hostibus metum simulavitmilitesque in castris, quae artiora solito industria fecerat, tenuit. Galli praesumpta iam victoria velut ad praedam castrorum tendentes fossas implere et vallum detrahere coeperunt: qua re proelio <non> aptatos Caesar emisso repente undique milite trucidavit.

Gaius Caesar in Gaul, after the forces of the legates Titurius Sabinus and Cotta had been deleted (annihilated) by Ambiorix, when, having been made more certain by Quintus Cicero—who himself too was being besieged—he was arriving with two legions, with the enemy having turned he simulated fear and held his soldiers in the camp, which by his industry he had made tighter than usual. The Gauls, victory already presumed, as if heading to the prey of the camp, began to fill the ditches and drag down the rampart; wherefore, not fitted for battle, Caesar, with soldiers suddenly sent out from every side, slaughtered them.

Titurius Sabinus adversus Gallorum amplum exercitum continendo militem intra munimenta praestitit eis suspicionem metuentis. Cuius augendae causa perfugam misit, qui affirmaret exercitum Romanum in desperatione esse ac de fuga cogitare. Barbari oblata victoriae spe concitati lignis sarmentisque se oneraverunt, quibus fossas complerent, ingentique cursu castra nostra in colle posita petiverunt: unde in eos Titurius universas immisit copias multisque Gallorum caesis plurimos in deditionem accepit.

Titurius Sabinus, against the large army of the Gauls, by keeping the soldiery within the fortifications, provided them the suspicion of one who was afraid. For the sake of increasing this, he sent a deserter to affirm that the Roman army was in desperation and was thinking of flight. The barbarians, roused by the offered hope of victory, loaded themselves with logs and brushwood, with which to fill the ditches, and with immense speed made for our camp set on a hill: whence Titurius launched all his forces against them, and, with many of the Gauls cut down, accepted very many to capitulation.

Asculani, oppugnatur<o> oppidum Pompei<o> cum paucos senes <et> aegros in muris ostendissent, ob id securos Romanos eruptione facta fugaverunt.

The Asculans, with the town being besieged by Pompey, when they had displayed a few old men and the sick on the walls, on that account made the Romans secure, and, a sortie having been made, put them to flight.

Numantini obsessi ne pro vallo quidem instruxerunt aciem adeoque se continuerunt, ut Popilio Laenati fiducia fieret scalis oppidum aggrediendi:quo deinde suspicante insidias, quia ne tunc quidem obsistebatur, ac suos revocante, eruptione facta aversos et descendentis adorti sunt.

The besieged Numantines did not even draw up a battle line in front of the rampart, and so restrained themselves to such a degree that confidence arose for Popilius Laenas to attack the town with ladders: then, he suspecting an ambush, because not even then was resistance being offered, and recalling his men, a sally having been made, they attacked them with their backs turned and as they were descending.

DE CONSTANTIA OBSESSORUM

ON THE CONSTANCY OF THE BESIEGED

Romani, assidente moenibus Hannibale, ostentandae fiduciae gratia supplementum exercitibus, quos in Hispania habebant, diversa porta miserunt.

The Romans, with Hannibal sitting at the walls, for the sake of the ostentation of confidence, sent a supplement to the armies which they had in Spain out by a different gate.

Idem agrum, in quo castra Hannibal habebat, defuncto forte domino venalem ad id pretium licendo perduxerunt, quo is ager ante bellum venierat.

The same men brought the field, in which Hannibal had his camp, the owner by chance having died, up for sale by bidding to that price at which that field had been sold before the war.

Idem, <cum> ab Hannibale obsiderentur et ipsi obsiderent Capuam, decreverunt, ne nisi capta ea revocaretur inde exercitus.

The same, when they were being besieged by Hannibal and they themselves were besieging Capua, decreed that the army was not to be recalled from there unless it had been taken.