11.12.26: Level 3+ (review); Dooge LXXIII [2] comprehension (2)

THE STORMING OF A CITY [2]

Rōmānōrum autem oppugnātiō est haec. Prīmum turrēs aedificantur quibus mīlitēs in summum mūrum ēvādere possint; vīneae fīunt quibus tēctī mīlitēs ad mūrum succēdant; pluteī parantur post quōs mīlitēs tormenta administrent; sunt quoque arietēs quī mūrum et portās discutiant. Hīs omnibus rēbus comparātīs, deinde agger ab eā parte ubi aditus est facillimus exstruitur et cum vīneīs ad ipsum oppidum agitur. Tum turris in aggere prōmovētur; arietibus quī sub vīneīs conlocātī erant mūrus et portae discutiuntur; ballistīs, catapultīs, reliquīsque tormentīs lapidēs et tēla in oppidum coniciuntur. Postrēmō cum iam turris et agger altitūdinem mūrī adaequant et arietēs moenia perfrēgērunt, signō datō mīlitēs inruunt et oppidum expugnant.

[1] In which order are the following first referred to?

battering rams _____

bolt-throwing machine _____

mantlets [note: vertical and portable screens to protect soldiers’ forward movement] _____

rampart _____

screens to protect soldiers from missiles overhead _____

siege engines _____

siege towers _____

stones _____

[2] What is the function of the siege towers? (1)

[3] What can the soldiers approach using the mantlets? (1)

[4] What do the soldiers do while protected by the overhead screens? (1)

[5] Where is the rampart built? (1)

[6] How are the battering rams protected? (1)

[7] Give the names of two specific devices for hurling projectiles. (2)

[8] At what point is the signal for attack given? (2)

____________________

[1]

battering rams [5]; arietēs

bolt-throwing machine [7]; ballistīs

mantlets [2]; vīneae

rampart [6]; agger

screens to protect soldiers from missiles overhead [3]; pluteī

siege engines [4]; tormenta

siege towers [1]; turrēs

stones [8]; lapidēs

[2] to enable soldiers to reach the top of the walls

[3] the wall

[4] operate siege engines

[5] on the side where the approach is easiest

[6] placed under the mantlets

[7] ballistae (bolt-throwers) (1); catapults (1)

[8] after towers and rampart match wall height (1) and the walls have been broken through (1)