The assault began on the Forum side of Capitol. The Praetorians marched up the Clivus Capitolinus and mounted the steps with swords drawn, eager for blood. The hilly street was too narrow for them to take more than five abreast. Assuming the defenders had no missiles, they didn"t bother with shields.
A costly mistake. The temples had contained enough pila for those atop the walls to launch two volleys. The first two lines of Praetorians fell, forcing the third to step over their dead comrades.
Pila spent, the defenders turned to other weapons. Domitian had found a bow, and was showing surprising accuracy with shot after shot. Atticus had discovered slings inside Jupiter Feretrius. Though not as deadly in Roman hands as in Judean, they still shattered bones and rattled skulls. Bodies pile
