Ammianus Marcellinus, Res Gestae, John C. Rolfe (Translator), 25.1.17

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[17] And in order that the onset of the bowmen might not throw our ranks into confusion, he advanced at a swift pace, and so ruined the effectiveness of the arrows.¹ Then the usual signal for battle was given, and the Roman infantry in close order with mighty effort drove the serried ranks of the enemy before them.

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).) — 25.1.17 focus

[17] Et ne sagittariorum procursus nostrorum cuneos disiectaret, illatis concitatius signis, spiculorum impetum fregit, datoque ad decernendum sollemniter signo, denseti Romani pedites confertas hostium frontes, nisu protruserunt acerrimo.

Notes on the current edition

History

1. By reaching the enemy before they could use their bows at all ( ante iactum sagittarum (Justin, l. c.)), or with good effect. Cf. Frontinus, Strat. ii. 2, 5,

Ventidius . . . ita procursione subita . . . se admovit, ut sagittas, quibus ex longinquo usus est, comminus adplicitus eluderet.

Similar tactics were used by Miltiades at Marathon; Hdt. vi. 112; Just. ii. 9, 11.

Ammianus Marcellinus Res Gestae 25.1.17

John C. Rolfe (Translator)

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