[727] Zeugma, according to Dio Cassius. This town is on the right bank of the Euphrates, opposite Biradjik.
[728] According to Drumann, the course of the river could not always be followed, as Plutarch says, because there existed a canal which joined the Euphrates with the Tigris. (Pliny, VI. 30.—Ammianus Marcellinus, XXIV. 2.)
[729] “There are among them few infantry. These are only chosen among the weakest men. From the tenderest age the Parthians are accustomed to handle the bow and the horse. Their country, which forms almost entirely one plain, is very favourable for breeding horses, and for courses of cavalry.” (Dio Cassius, XL. 15.)—“Equis omni tempore vectantur; illis bella, illis convivia, illis publica ac privata officia obeunt.” (Justin, XLI. 8.)
[730] “Munimentum ipsis equisque loricæ plumatæ sunt, quæ utrumque toto corpore tegunt.” (Justin, XLI. 2.)
[731] “Signum in prælio non tuba, sed tympano datur.” (Justin, XLI. 2.)
[732] “Fidentemque fuga Parthum versisque sagittis.” (Virgil, Georg., III., line 31.
[733] “The Osroenes, placed behind the Romans, who had their backs turned to them, struck them where their unprotected limbs were exposed, and rendered more easy their destruction by the Parthians.” (Dio Cassius, XL. 22.)
[734] The army was composed of seven legions, but some troops had been left at Carrhæ. The square was composed of forty-eight cohorts, or nearly five legions; the rest was probably in reserve in the square. The 4,000 cavalry and 4,000 light infantry were probably divided half to the right and half to the left of the great square, the sides of which must have been about 1,000 mètres long.
[735] Plutarch, Crassus, 28.
[736] Q. Cæcilius Metellus Scipio was the son of P. Cornelius Scipio Nasica, and of Licinia, daughter of Crassus. He had been adopted by Q. Cæcilius Metellus Pius.