140

THE DECLINE AND FALfc,

CHAP.

XVIII.

Battle ofSingara,A ». 348.

The event of the day was most commonly ad-verse to the Romans, but in the battle of Sin-gara, their imprudent valour had almostachieved a signal and decisive victory. Thestationary troops of Singara retired on the ap-proach of Sapor, who passed the Tigris overthree bridges, and occupied near the village ofHilleh an advantageous camp, which, by thelabour of his numerous pioneers, he surroundedin one day with a deep ditch, and a lofty ram-part. His formidable host, when it was drawnout in order of battle, covered the banks of theriver, the adjacent heights, and the whole extentof a plain of above twelve miles, which sepa-rated the two armies. Both were alike impa-tient to engage; but the barbarians, after aslight resistance, fled in disorder ; unable toresist, or desirous to weary, the strength of theheavy legions, who, fainting with heat andthirst, pursued them across the plain, and cutin pieces a line of cavalry, clothed in completearmour, which had been posted before the gatesof the camp to protect their retreat. Constan-tius, who was hurried along in the pursuit, at-tempted, without effect, to restrain the ardourof his troops, by representing to them the dan-gers of the approaching night, and the certainty

orations of Julian, and the third oration of Libanins, exhibit a moreflattering picture; but the recantation of both those orators, after thedeath of Constantins, while it restores us to the possession of the truth,degrades their own character, and that of the emperor. The commen-tary of Spanheim on the first oration of Julian is profusely learned.See likewise the judicious observations of Tillemont, Hist, del Era-percurs, tom. iv p, Cjti