however, the Germans proved too much for them, and
throughout the war the Ubii were always more conspicuous
for good faith than good fortune. Their collapse
strengthened Civilis’ position, and emboldened
by success, he now vigorously pressed on the blockade
of the legions at Vetera, and redoubled his vigilance
to prevent any message creeping through from the relieving
army. The Batavians were told off to look after
the engines and siege-works: the Germans, who
clamoured for battle, were sent to demolish the rampart
and renew the fight directly they were beaten off.
There were so many of them that their losses mattered
little.
Nightfall did not see the end of their task.
They built huge fires 29 of wood all round the
ramparts and sat drinking by them; then, as the wine
warmed their hearts, one by one they dashed into the
fight with blind courage. In the darkness their
missiles were ineffective, but the barbarian troops
were clearly visible to the Romans, and any one whose
daring or bright ornaments made him conspicuous at
once became a mark for their aim. At last Civilis
saw their mistake, and gave orders to extinguish the
fires and plunge the whole scene into a confusion of
darkness and the din of arms. Discordant shouts
now arose: everything was vague and uncertain:
no one could see to strike or to parry. Wherever
a shout was heard, they would wheel round and lunge
in that direction. Valour was useless: chance
and chaos ruled supreme: and the bravest soldier
often fell under a coward’s bolt. The Germans
fought with blind fury. The Roman troops were
more familiar with danger; they hurled down iron-clamped
stakes and heavy stones with sure effect. Wherever
the sound of some one climbing or the clang of a scaling-ladder
betrayed the presence of the enemy, they thrust them
back with their shields and followed them with a shower
of javelins. Many appeared on top of the walls,
and these they stabbed with their short swords.
And so the night wore on. Day dawned upon new
30 methods of attack. The Batavians
had built a wooden tower of two stories and moved
it up to the Head-quarters Gate,[315] which was the
most accessible spot. However, our soldiers, by
using strong poles and hurling wooden beams, soon
battered it to pieces, with great loss of life to
those who were standing on it. While they were
still dismayed at this, we made a sudden and successful
sally. Meanwhile the legionaries, with remarkable
skill and ingenuity, invented still further contrivances.
The one which caused most terror was a crane with
a movable arm suspended over their assailants’
heads: this arm was suddenly lowered, snatched
up one or more of the enemy into the air before his
fellows’ eyes, and, as the heavy end was swung
round, tossed him into the middle of the camp.
Civilis now gave up hope of storming the camp and
renewed a leisurely blockade, trying all the time
by messages and offers of reward to undermine the loyalty
of the legions.
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