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Scene 72 This webpage reproduces a section of A Description of the Trajan Column by John Hungerford Pollen printed by George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode, printers to Queen Victoria London, 1874 Text and engravings are in the public domain. Any color photographs are © William P. Thayer 1997- Scene 74

SCENES OF THE SPIRAL BAND RUNNING UP THE SHAFT

LXXIII. Attack of a Roman fortification. Battle and defeat of the enemy

A strong place on high ground garrisoned by Roman soldiers. They have been attacked by a large body of Dacians, as is evident from the number of dead in this and of fugitives in the last composition. There are two gateways to the fort, and the Romans, not satisfied with repelling the attack on their walls, sally forth, sword in hand, and a desperate battle, partly from the walls, partly under them. The ground seems to be disputed valiantly by the Dacians, one of whom faces the rush of a host of Romans p158who fling themselves on the attacking force with immense energy. They are cutting, not stabbing, with their short swords, and some are using the hasta. All have oval shields. In some instances those of Romans and Dacians are ornamented alike. The field is covered with the enemy's dead and wounded, though he still makes head in portions of the field. From this disastrous encounter Decebalus leads the remnants of his army to the strong works seen in the last composition.

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