Ammianus Marcellinus, Res Gestae, John C. Rolfe (Translator), 19.8.8

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[8] And since the heat had caused us parching thirst, for a long time we went slowly about looking for water. And we fortunately found a deep well, but it was neither possible to go down into it because of its depth, nor were there ropes at hand; so taught by extreme need, we cut the linen garments in which we were clad¹ into long strips and from them made a great rope. To the extreme end of this we tied the cap which one of us wore under his helmet, and when this was let down by the rope and sucked up the water after the manner of a sponge, it readily quenched the thirst by which we were tormented.

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).) — 19.8.8 focus

[8] Et quia per aestum arida siti reptantes, aquam diu quaeritando, profundum bene¹ vidimus puteum, et neque descendendi prae altitudine, nec restium aderat copia, necessitate docente postrema, indumenta lintea, quibus tegebamur,² in oblongos discidimus pannulos, unde explicato fune ingenti, centonem quem sub galea unus ferebat e nostris, ultimae aptavimus summitati, qui per³ funem coniectus, aquasque hauriens ad peniculi modum, facile sitim qua urgebamur⁴ exstinxit.

Notes on the current edition

History

1. Damsté, reading tegebatur, thinks that the groom’s clothing is meant. But he seems to have been left some distance behind, and it is doubtful whether his garments were in a condition to use. Clark adds lectulus, but where they would find a couch is not clear.

Ammianus Marcellinus Res Gestae 19.8.8

John C. Rolfe (Translator)

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