1Marius reached Zama. 1That town, situated on a plain, was fortified more by art than by nature, lacked nothing it needed, and was well supplied with arms and men. 2So Metellus, having made his preparations as time and place allowed, surrounded the whole circuit of the walls with his army, and ordered his lieutenants where each was to be in charge. 3Then, when the signal was given, a huge shout arose on all sides at once, but this did not frighten the Numidians: fierce and alert, they stayed where they were without disorder, and the battle began. 4The Romans, each according to his own nature, some fought from a distance with sling-bullets or stones, others moved up and now undermined the wall, now attacked it with ladders, eager to fight hand to hand.
5Against this the townspeople rolled rocks on those nearest, and hurled stakes and javelins, and besides these, pitch mixed with sulphur and pine-torches, burning. 6But not even those who had stayed at a distance had been sufficiently protected by their faintheartedness; 6for very many were wounded by javelins shot from engines or thrown by hand, and the brave and the cowardly were in equal danger but of unequal repute.