Book 18
9.3
Of this town the regular garrison was formed by the Fifth Legion, Parthica, along with a force of no mean size of natives. But at that time six additional legions, having outstripped the advancing horde of Persians by rapid marches, were drawn up upon its very strong walls. These were the soldiers of Magnentius and Decentius,The soldiers enrolled by Magnentius and called by his name and that of his brother. whom, after finishing the campaigns of the civil wars, the emperor had forced, as being untrustworthy and turbulent, to come to the Orient, where none but foreign wars are to be feared; also the soldiers of the Thirtieth,Also called Ulpia. and the Tenth, also called Fortenses,Called in early inscriptions Fretenses. and the Superventores and PraeventoresAccording to the Notit. Imp. these were light-armed horsemen; the former were used in surprise attacks, the latter as scouts. with Aelianus, who was then a count; these troops, when still raw recruits, at the urging of the same Aelianus, then one of the guard, had made a sally from Singara (as I have saidIn one of the lost books. ) and slain great numbers of the Persians while they were buried in sleep.
