Double Assault By The Romans
Meanwhile Publius, though throwing himself heartily
into the struggle, yet took all possible precautions to protect
his life. He had three men with him carrying large shields,
which they held in such a position as to completely protect
him from the side of the wall; and accordingly he went along
the lines, or mounted on elevated ground, and contributed
greatly to the success of the day. For he was enabled to see
all that was going on, and at the same time, by being himself
in view of all, inspired great zeal in the hearts of the combatants. The result was that nothing was omitted which could
contribute to the success of the battle; but any help he
saw to be at any moment required was rapidly and thoroughly
supplied.
But though the leaders of the escalade had begun mounting the walls with great spirit,
they found the
Difficulties of the escalade. |
operation accompanied by some danger: not
so much from the number of the defenders, as
from the height of the walls. The defenders accordingly
plucked up courage considerably when they saw the distress of
the assailants: for some of the ladders were breaking under
the weight of the numbers which, owing to their length, were on
them at the same time; while on others the first to mount
turned giddy owing to their great height, and without requiring
much resistance from the defenders threw themselves from
the ladders: and when beams, or anything of that sort, were
hurled upon them from the battlements, they were swept off
en masse and fell to the ground. In spite however of these
difficulties nothing could check the zeal and fury of the
Roman attack; but as the first fell their place was always
taken at once by the next in order. And now, as the day was
far advanced, and the soldiers were worn out with fatigue,
Scipio sounded a recall for the assaulting party.