Qui calor in proeliando militum fuerit, nullo magis exprimi potest, quam quod elatis super caput scutis, cum se testudine barbarus tegeret, super ipsa Romani scuta salierunt, et inde in iugulo gladiis descendebant.

-- L. Annaei Flori Epitome Rerum Romanarum I, 45, 13 - 14

There is no better way to convey how heated were the (Roman) soldiers during the battle, than this: when the barbarians lifted their shields over their heads and protected themselves in a "testudo" formation, the Romans mounted on the very shields and from there they sinked their short swords into the enemys' throats.

(See also this quote from Caesar himself)

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Additus a. d. XVII Kal. Oct., MMDCCLXXVI a. U. c.