Eunapius [sc. uses the word]. [It means] a crossing of a river, a bridge.[1]
"The currents of rivers are yoked very easily by Romans, since this too always served as an exercise for the soldiers just like any other element of military science that was practiced, [and they did this] on the Istros [Danube], Rhenos [Rhine] and Euphrates. The method -- since not everybody knows about it -- is as follows: wide are the ships with which the river is yoked; they are anchored a little bit upstream, above the place where the yoking will take place. After the sign is given they send forth the first ship so it is borne downstream close to their own bank. As soon as it has reached the place for the yoking, they throw into the stream a basket full of stones tied with cord like an anchor. After the ship is moored and positioned by the bank, immediately planks and ties, of which the ship carries an abundant supply, are laid out toward the point of disembarcation. Then they send forth another ship little bit further from that one and the next one further than the second until they extend the yoke to the opposite bank. A ship as outfitted for war also carries turrets and a gate and archers and catapults. Since plenty of arrows were being shot against the people that were doing the yoking, Cassius orders them to fire arrows and catapults. When the first attackers fell for the barbarians others followed."[2]
Yoking a mule-team or ox-team, what is called a klini/s,[3] which is similar to a double seat,[4] completes the entourage of the bride.[5] After taking her from her father's home they lead her on the cart to the house of the one who is marrying her when the evening is well advanced. Three of them sit on the cart, the bride in the middle and on either side the groom and the best man. He is the [groom's] most esteemed and beloved friend or relative. Since the cart used to be called an o)/xhma ['vehicle'], the one riding alongside [paroxou/menos] in the third place was called the pa/roxos ['best man']. From this custom even if people to go fetch the girl on foot the third in attendance is called a pa/roxos.