A.D. 1176. LETTER OP THE EÌTPEBOP. OF CONSTANTINOPLE. 421 army, having at last forgotten it9 2 altogether, and not waiting for its coming up. In consequence of this, as the troops of the Turks, from the battles that had already taken place, knew that it was not for their advantage to attack us in front, finding that the narrowness of the passage was likely to serve them in great stead, they determined upon attacking the rear, which they accordingly did. Now the passage all along consisting of a very narrow defile, the barbarians rushed upon us, attacking us on the right hand and on the left, and in all possible quarters, and their darts, falling upon us like a shower, slew a vast number of men and horses: Upon this, finding that disasters were there thickening apace, on taking due consideration, our imperial office thought proper to await those who were in the rear, for the purpose of supporting them, which it did accordingly, and, in so waiting, had to support itself against the infinite numbers of the Persians. What exploits it performed while thus hemmed in by them it is not necessary upon the present occasion to state; perhaps your highness will learn more on that subject from those who were present on the occasion. While our imperial office was doing its duty amid these dangers, and bearing the entire brunt of the conflict, the entire rear-guard, formed of Greeks, Latins, and all other varieties of nations, being wedged into a mass, and not being able to bear upagainst the darts thrown by the enemy, pushed onward93 with the most vigorous efforts, and was borne along with the greatest violence while making all haste to gain an adjoining hill, that might serve as a sort of fortress ; those rushing on carrying on the others, whether they would or no. The consequence was, that, a vast cloud of dust being raised which quite overpowered the eyesight and allowed no one to see what lay at his feet, men and horses, thus rush*ing on without restraint, were borne over a precipice close at hand and overhanging a very deep valley. Thus, falling one upon another, they trod each other to death, and killed not only numbers of the common soldiers, but even some of the most illustrious and most nearly related of our kinsmen. 9 3 Probably this is the meaning of the passage, which appears to be incorrectly printed, " illas " standing for " illam." Indeed the whole letter is a tissue of corruptions and omissions. 8 5 " Impactione " seems to be the reading, and not " in pactione," as in the text.