ABSTRACT
In a short time the legions were drawn up in companies with their captains in front and the rear-guard and those who held the middle of the line followed in order, all in gleaming armour, and fitted close to each other like the wall of a city. To begin with he surrounded the city completely with his barbarian army and indulged in skirmishing. Consequently a severe famine overtook them, consuming both horses and men alike, as the horses had no fodder and the men no food. The Emperor had barely time to light up with a smile at Cantacuzenus' success before a second, most calamitous message arrived, announcing an incredible slaughter of the Roman divisions under Camytzes and Cabasilas. After the Emperor had posted a considerable number of troops under picked leaders on all the mountain-passes, he further blocked all the paths against the Franks with large piles of timber, called 'xyloclasiæ'.
