Ammianus Marcellinus, Res Gestae, John C. Rolfe (Translator), 16.11.3

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[3] For it was planned and carefully arranged beforehand that the Alamanni, who were raging beyond their customary manner and ranging more afield, should be driven into straits as if with a pair of pliers¹ by twin forces of our soldiers, and cut to pieces.

Res Gestae. Ammianus Marcellinus. John C. Rolfe (Translator). Cambridge, MA. 1935-1940.

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Current edition Perseus

History (English) (Ammianus Marcellinus. Ammianus Marcellinus, with an English translation, Vols. I-III. Rolfe, John C., translator. Cambridge, MA; London: Harvard University Press; W. Heinemann, 1935-1940 (printing).)

Editions (1)

Res Gestae Perseus (Ammianus Marcellinus. Ammianus Marcellinus, with an English translation, Vols. I-III. Rolfe, John C., editor. Cambridge, MA; London: Harvard University Press; W. Heinemann, 1935-1940 (printing).) — 16.11.3 focus

[3] Cogitatum est enim, solliciteque praestructum, ut saevientes ultra solitum Alamanni vagantesque fusius, multitudine geminata nostrorum, forcipis specie, trusi in angustias caederentur.

Notes on the current edition

History

1. The forceps or forfex was a military formation with diverging wings for meeting and baffling a cuneus; cf. Vegetius, iii. 19,

nam ex lectissimis militibus in V litteram ordo componitum, et illum cuneum excipit atque utraque parts concludit.

The open part of the V of course faced the enemy. Here forceps is perhaps used in its literal sense.

Ammianus Marcellinus Res Gestae 16.11.3

John C. Rolfe (Translator)

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