<head>Heracleum Captured by the Testudo</head>The capture of Heracleum was effected in a very<note anchored="yes" place="marg" id="note31">The testudo.<bibl n="Liv. 44.9" default="NO" valid="yes">Livy, 44, 9</bibl>.</note>peculiar manner. The city wall at one part and for a short distance was low. The Romans attacked with three picked maniples: and the first made a protection for their heads by locking their shields together over them so closely, that they presented the appearance of a sloping tiled roof. . . .This manœuvre the Romans used also in mock fights. . . .<note anchored="yes" type="summary" place="inline" resp="ess" id="note32">While C. Marcius Figulus, the praetor, was engaged in<pb n="380" />Chalcidice, Q. Marcius sent M. Popilius to besiege Meliboea in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Magnesia&groupId=729&placeId=1336">Magnesia</a>. Perseus sent Euphranor to relieve it, and, if he succeeded, to enter <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Demetrias&groupId=536&placeId=1006">Demetrias</a>. This he did, and was not attacked at the latter place by Popilius or Eumenes—scandal saying that the latter was in secret communication with Perseus.<bibl n="Liv. 44.10" default="NO" valid="yes">Livy, 44, 10-13</bibl>, B. C. 169.</note>
Walbank Commentary