rchy. Rome,
however, had other work on her hands; and the Syrian kingdom continued
to exist till B.C. 65, though in a feeble and moribund condition.

But Phraates could not, without prophetic foresight, have counted on
such utter prostration following as the result of a single--albeit a
terrible--blow. Accordingly, we find him still exhibiting a dread of the
Seleucid power even after his great victory. He had released Demetrius
too late to obtain any benefit from the hostile feeling which that
prince probably entertained towards his brother. Had he not released him
too soon for his own safety? Was it not to be feared that the Syrians
might rally under one who was their natural leader, might rapidly
recover their strength, and renew the struggle for the mastery of
Western Asia? The first thought of the dissatisfied monarch was to
hinder the execution of his own project. Demetrius was on his way to
Syria, but had not yet arrived there, or, at any rate, his arrival had
not been as yet reported. Was it not possible to intercept him? The
Parthian king hastily sent out a body of horse, with orders to pursue
the Syrian prince at their best speed, and endeavor to capture him
before he passed the frontier. If they succeeded, they were to bring
him hack to their master, who would probably have then committed his
prisoner to close custody. The pursuit, however, failed. Demetrius
had anticipated, or at least feared, a change of purpose, and, having
prosecuted his journey with the greatest diligence, had reached his own
territory before the emissaries of Phraates could overtake him.

It is uncertain whether policy or inclination dictated the step which
Phraates soon afterwards took of allaying himself by marriage with the
Seleucidae. He had formally given his sister, Ehodogune, as a wife to
Demetrius, and the marriage had been fruitful, Rhodogune having borne
Demetrius several children. The two houses of the Seleucidae and
Arsacidae were thus already allied to some extent. Phraates resolved
to strengthen the bond. The unmarried daughter of Demetrius whom he
had captured after his victory over Antiochus took his fancy; and he
determined to make her his wife. At the same time he adopted other
measures calculated to conciliate the Seleucid prince. He treated his
captive, Seleucus, the son of Antiochus, with the greatest respect. To
the corpse of Antiochus he paid royal honors; and, having placed it in a
silver coffin, he transmitted i