Romans of the laurels that they had lost at Carrhae.

CHAPTER XII.

_Relations of Orodes with Pompey, and with Brutus and Cassius. Second
War with Rome. Great Parthian Expedition against Syria, Palestine,
and Asia Minor. Defeat of Saxa. Occupation of Antioch and Jerusalem.
Parthians driven out of Syria by Ventidius. Death of Pacorus. Death of
Orodes._

The civil troubles that had seemed to threaten Parthia from the ambition
of the youthful Pacorus passed away without any explosion. The son
showed his obedience by returning home submissively when he might
have flown to arms; and the father accepted the act of obedience as a
sufficient indication that no rebellion had been seriously meant. We
find Pacorus not only allowed to live, but again entrusted a few years
later with high office by the Parthian monarch; and on this occasion we
find him showing no signs of disaffection or discontent.

Nine years, however, elapsed between the recall of the young prince
and his reappointment to the supreme command against the Romans. Of the
internal condition of Parthia during this interval we have no account.
Apparently, Orodes ruled quietly and peaceably, contenting himself
with the glory which he had gained, and not anxious to tempt fortune by
engaging in any fresh enterprise. It was no doubt a satisfaction to
him to see the arms of the Romans, instead of being directed upon Asia,
employed in intestine strife; and we can well understand that he might
even deem it for his interest to foment and encourage the quarrels
which, at any rate for the time, secured his own empire from attack. It
appears that communications took place in the year B.C. 49 or 48 between
him and Pompey, a request for alliance being made by the latter, and an
answer being sent by Orodes, containing the terms upon which he would
consent to give Pompey effective aid in the war. If the Roman leader
would deliver into his hands the province of Syria and make it wholly
over to the Parthians, Orodes would conclude an alliance with him and
send help; but not otherwise. It is to the credit of Pompey that he
rejected these terms, and declined to secure his own private gain by
depriving his country of a province. Notwithstanding the failure of
these negotiations and the imprisonment of his envoy Hirrus, when a few
months later, having lost the battle of Pharsalia, the unhappy Roman was
in need of a refuge from his great enemy, he is said to have proposed
th