ckaded all the approaches, and armed the towers and
battlements, they prepared measures to encounter the impending struggle,
being in the mean time free and unrestrained. By this daring conduct
they roused the Italian natives of the district to espouse the side of
Constantius, who was still alive.

XII.

Sec. 1. When Julian heard of this transaction, being then at Nissa, as he
feared nothing unfriendly in his rear, and had read and heard that this
city, though often besieged, had never been destroyed or taken,
hastened the more eagerly to gain it, either by stratagem, or by some
kind of flattery or other, before any more formidable event should
arise.

2. Therefore he ordered Jovinus, the captain of his cavalry, who was
marching over the Alps, and had entered Noricum, to return with all
speed, to remedy by some means or other, the evil which had burst out.
And, that nothing might be wanting, he bade him retain all the soldiers
who were marching after his court or his standards and passing through
that town, and to avail himself of their help to the utmost.

3. When he had made these arrangements, having soon afterwards heard of
the death of Constantius, he crossed through Thrace, and entered
Constantinople: and having been often assured that the siege would be
protracted rather than formidable, he sent Immo with some other counts
to conduct it; and removed Jovinus to employ him in other matters of
greater importance.

4. Therefore, having surrounded Aquileia with a double line of heavy
infantry, the generals all agreed upon trying to induce the garrison to
surrender, using alternately threats and caresses; but after many
proposals and replies had been interchanged, their obstinacy only
increased, and the conferences were abandoned, having proved wholly
ineffectual.

5. And because there was now no prospect but that of a battle, both
sides refreshed themselves with sleep and food; and at daybreak the
trumpets sounded, and the two armies, arrayed for reciprocal slaughter,
attacked one another with loud shouts, but with more ferocity than
skill.

6. Therefore the besiegers, bearing wooden penthouses over them, and
closely woven wicker defences, marched on slowly and cautiously, and
attempted to undermine the walls with iron tools: many also bore ladders
which had been made of the height of the walls, and came up close to
them: when some were dashed down by stones hurled on their heads, others
were transfixed by