38.19
Subsequently, more definite information
was received from Oroanda to the effect that the Tolostobogii had actually
occupied Olympus; that the Tectosagi going in a different direction had
established themselves on another mountain called Magaba, and that the
Trocmi had left their wives and children in the care of the Tectosagi and
gone to the assistance of the Tolostobogii. The chiefs of these three tribes
were Ortiagon, Comboiomarus and Gaulotus. Their main reason for
adopting this mode of warfare was that by holding the principal heights in
the country, provided with everything they might require for an indefinite
period, they hoped to wear out the enemy. They never imagined he would
venture to approach them over such steep and difficult ground; if he did
make the attempt they believed that even a small force would be sufficient to
dislodge him or throw him back in confusion; whilst if he remained inactive
at the foot of the mountain he would be unable to endure the cold and
hunger. Though the height of their position was itself a protection, they drew
a trench and constructed other defences round the peaks on which they were
established. Missile weapons they troubled themselves very little about as
they thought the rocky ground would supply them with plenty of stones.
