104 



A HISTORY OF CAVALRY. 



[period r. 



and dragged them from their horses upon the ground, 

 where they could scarcely stir from the weight of their 

 own armour. Some of them despairing of gaining any 

 success by ordinary means, dismounted from their horses, 

 and setting under those of the Parthians, stabbed them 

 in the belly where the armour did not protect them, and 

 so overturned both horse and rider, often being trodden 

 to death themselves. They then endeavoured to retreat 

 to the main body, but finding they could not do so, they 

 took up a position on a hill, placed their horses in the 

 middle, and assuming a circular formation, locked their 

 shields together all around, hoping to save themselves 

 in that way. 



It was all in vain, however. The young general, 

 badly wounded, was advised by some of his officers to 

 endeavour to save himself by flight, they ofiFering to 

 accompany him. His answer was, " There was no death, 

 however dreadful, the fear of which could make him 

 leave so many brave men dying for his sake." He 

 desired them to save themselves, and dismissed them, 

 and then ordering his shield-bearer to kill him, he offered 

 his side to him to strike the blow, and so died. The 

 rest fell gallantly fighting ; and of this detachment 

 of about 6,000 picked soldiers, 500 only were taken 

 prisoners, the remainder being left dead upon the 

 field. 



This disaster must have all occurred within two or 

 three hours, and soon Crassus saw the Parthians return- 

 ing, with loud shouts and songs of victory, which 

 increased his intense anxiety for the safety of his son, 

 when all doubts were set at rest by their coming forward, 

 bearing the head of the gallant young cavalry officer 

 aloft upon a pike, and displaying it to the anxious and 

 dispirited Romans. Again the legions were assailed 

 with the same vigour. They still fought however in 

 their ranks, sternly resisting and bravely enduring the 

 showers of missiles, and the pike-thrusts of the mailed 

 horsemen, unable however successfully to defend them- 

 selves, or to inflict loss upon their assailants. So in 

 monotonous carnage the day wore away, and night 



