Those who died Lucius buried in long trenches, lest, if he burned them, the enemy should discover what was taking place, and, if they were unburied, disease should result from the poisonous exhalations.As no end of the famine, or of the deaths, could be discerned, the soldiers became restive under the condition of affairs, and implored Lucius to make another attempt upon the enemy's works, believing that they could break through them completely. He approved of their ardor. All assented eagerly, and, in order that no one should have the night for an excuse, they demanded to be led out by daylight. Lucius marched out at dawn. He took an abundance of iron tools, for wall fighting.All assented eagerly,and,
in order that no one should have the night for an excuse, they demanded to be led out by daylight.Lucius marched out at dawn. He took an abundance of iron tools, for wall fighting, and ladders of every form. He carried machines for filling the ditches, and folding towers from which planks could be let down to the walls; also all kinds of missiles and stones, and wickerwork to be thrown upon the palisades.They made a violent assault, filled up the ditch, scaled the palisades, and advanced to the walls, which some of them undermined, while others applied the ladders, and others simultaneously moved up the towers and defended themselves with stones, arrows, and leaden balls,with absolute contempt of death.This was
done at many different places,and the enemy being drawn in many different directions made a more feeble resistance.The planks having been thrown upon the walls at some places,the struggle became very hazardous,for the forces of Lucius fighting on the bridges were exposed to missiles and javelins on every side.They forced their way,nevertheless,and a few leaped over the wall.Others followed,and they would speedily have accomplished something in their desperation, had not the fact become known to Octavian that they had not many such machines, so that the best of his reserves were brought fresh to the assistance of the tired men.These troops flung the assailants down from the walls, broke their machines in pieces.
