69.
The town itself was situated on the top of a hill, in a very lofty position, so
that it did not appear likely to be taken, except by a regular siege. Two
rivers, on two different sides, washed the foot of the hill. Before the town lay
a plain of about three miles in length; on every other side hills at a moderate
distance, and of an equal degree of height, surrounded the town. The army of the
Gauls had filled all the space under the wall,
comprising a part of the hill which looked to the rising sun, and had drawn in
front a trench and a stone wall six feet high. The circuit of that
fortification, which was commenced by the Romans,
comprised eleven miles. The camp was pitched in a strong position, and
twenty-three redoubts were raised in it, in which sentinels were placed by day,
lest any sally should be made suddenly; and by night the same were occupied by
watches and strong guards.
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