de bello gallico, 5.43

On the seventh day of the attack, with a very great wind having sprung up, they began to throw balls of hot molded clay with slings and heated javelins upon the huts, which, by the Gallic custom, had been covered with thatch. These quickly took fire, and, by the greatness of the wind, spread into every part of the camp. The enemy with a very loud shout, as if victory were already obtained and assured, began to drive their towers and movable sheds and to climb the rampart with ladders. But so great was the courage of our soldiers and such was their presence of mind that, although they were scorched by flame on all sides, and were pressed by the greatest multitude of weapons, and were aware that all their baggage and all their wealth were burning, not only did no one leave the rampart for the sake of withdrawing, but nearly did not any one even look behind, and then they all fought most fiercely and most bravely. This day was by far most serious for our men, but yet it had this outcome that on that day the largest number of the enemy was wounded and slain, as they had crowded under the rampart itself, and the last men were not giving the first a retreat. The flame indeed having abated a little and in a certain place with a tower having been driven up and touching the rampart, the centurions of the third cohort retired from this place in which they were standing and drew back all their men; they began to call the enemy by gesture and by words to enter if they should wish; of whom none dared to advance. Then, with stones having been cast from every direction, they were dislodged and their tower was set on fire.