Page:Political History of Parthia.pdf/231

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THE CAMPAIGN OF CORBULO
185

had been in Rome were returning to their own country. They crossed the Euphrates, probably near Melitene, and had an interview with Corbulo. Apparently the ambassadors proceeded eastward to their own country.[1]

The next year, 60, Tiridates made an attempt to recover his kingdom by an invasion from the direction of Media Atropatene. Corbulo sent Severus Verulanus, a legate, with auxiliaries, and followed as rapidly as possible himself. Tiridates was easily repulsed and forced to flee. Fire and sword soon reduced the country to submission.

Armenia was then entirely in the possession of the Romans, and Nero appointed Tigranes V, great-grandson of Archelaus, the last king of Cappadocia, as ruler. Parts of Armenia were intrusted to Pharasmanes of Iberia, Polemon of Pontus, Aristobulus of Lesser Armenia, and Antiochus of Commagene, in order to make the control of the newly subdued territory easier, for some people still favored the Parthians. Leaving a thousand legionaries with three or four thousand cavalry and infantry auxiliaries to support the new ruler, Corbulo returned to Syria, where he succeeded Quadratus, who had died.[2]

Tigranes, as soon as he was established, proceeded in 61 to invade and ravage Adiabene. Either events

  1. The text of Tac. Ann. xiv. 25, "maris rubri," must be corrupt. The emendation "maris sui," which has been suggested, seems reasonable.
  2. Tac. Ann. xiv. 26; Josephus Ant. xviii. 140 and Bell. ii. 222; PW, art. "Tigranes," No. 6.