Res Gestae
Ammianus Marcellinus
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).
If this kind of engine is worked with full vigour, the strongest cities, after their walls have been stripped of defenders, are laid open, and the siege is thus brought to an end.
In place of these devices of rams, which, because they are now so frequent, are in less esteem, a machine is made, well known to the historians, which we Greeks call helepolis.[*](City-taker. The descriptions of Diod. xx. 48 and 91, and Athen. v. p. 206 d, are of a more powerful machine, including lofty towers.) It was through the constant employment of this engine that Demetrius, the son of King Antigonus, after taking Rhodes and other cities gained the name of Poliorcetes.[*](Besieger of cities.)
It is built in the following manner: a huge mantlet[*](Or tortoise-shed.) is constructed of strong planks of great length fastened together with iron nails, and covered with ox-hides and hurdles of green twigs; and over these is spread mud, in order to protect it from fire and falling missiles.
On its front side are set very sharp,[*](Cf. falces praeacutae, Caes., B.G. iii. 14, 5, and Class. Journal, vi. (1910), pp. 133 f.) three-pronged spear-points, of