Battles and Victories

The enemy’s front line could not withstand the emperor’s first assault. They threw down their arms and fell at his feet, and he spared them all, glad to save human life. But there were others who stayed under arms and went on fighting. The emperor tried to win these over with friendly offers, but when they refused them he ordered his army to attack. At this they at once turned and fled. Some were overtaken and killed according to the laws of war; others fell on one another in the confusion of their flight and died by the swords of their own comrades.