ing these troops into disorder, the king, with his native
and foreign troops, having after leaving Bebase turned his march to the
right, according to the advice of Antoninus, passed by Horre and
Meiacarire and Charcha, as if he meant also to pass by Amida. And when
he had come near the Roman forts, one of which is called Reman, and the
other Busan, he learnt from some deserters that many persons had removed
their treasures there for protection, trusting to their lofty and strong
walls; and it was also added that there was there, with a great many
valuables, a woman of exquisite beauty, the wife of a citizen of Nisibis
named Craugasius, of great consideration by birth, character, and
influence; with her little daughter.

2. Sapor, eager to seize what belonged to another, hastened on, and
attacked the castle with force; and the garrison, being seized with a
sudden panic at the variety of arms of the assailants, surrendered
themselves, and all who had fled to them for protection; and at the
first summons gave up the keys of the gates. Possession being taken, all
that was stored there was ransacked; women bewildered with fear were
dragged forth; and children clinging to their mothers were taught bitter
suffering at the very beginning of their infancy.

3. And when Sapor, by asking each whose wife she was, had found that of
Craugasius trembling with fear of violence, he allowed her to come in
safety to him, and when he saw her, veiled as she was with a black veil
to her lips, he kindly encouraged her with a promise that she should
recover her husband, and that her honour should be preserved inviolate.
For hearing that her husband was exceedingly devoted to her, he thought
that by this bribe he might win him over to betray Nisibis.

4. And he also extended his protection to other virgins who, according
to Christian rites, had been formally consecrated to the service of God,
ordering that they should be kept uninjured, and be allowed to perform
the offices of religion as they had been accustomed. Affecting clemency
for a time, in order that those who were alarmed at his former ferocity
and cruelty might now discard their fears, and come to him of their own
accord, learning from these recent examples that he tempered the
greatness of his success with humanity and courtesy.

[89] It is not known what towns are meant by Castra Herculis and
Quadriburgium.

[90] Vespasian and Titus.

[91] Ammianus was still in attendance on