uctions
were sent out to Ummidius, proconsul of Syria, requiring him to
co-operate with Corbulo; and arrangements were made to obviate
the clashing of authority which was to be feared between two equal
commanders. In the spring of A.D. 55 the Roman armies were ready to take
the field, and a struggle seemed impending which would recall the times
of Antony and Phraates.

But, at the moment when expectation was at its height, and the clang
of arms appeared about to resound throughout Western Asia, suddenly a
disposition for peace manifested itself. Both Corbulo and Ummidius
sent embassies to Volagases, exhorting him to make concessions, and
apparently giving him to understand that something less was required of
him than the restoration of Armenia to the Romans. Volagases listened
favorably to the overtures, and agreed to put into the hands of the
Roman commanders the most distinguished members of the royal family as
hostages. At the same time he withdrew his troops from Armenia; which
the Romans, however, did not occupy, and which continued, as it would
seem, to be governed by Tiridates. The motive of the Parthian king in
acting as he did is obvious. A revolt against his authority had broken
out in Parthia, headed by his son, Vardanes; and, until this internal
trouble should be suppressed, he could not engage with advantage in a
foreign war. [PLATE III. Fig. 1.] The reasons which actuated the Roman
generals are far more obscure. It is difficult to understand their
omission to press upon Volagases in his difficulties, or their readiness
to accept the persons of a few hostages, however high their rank, as an
equivalent for the Roman claim to a province. Perhaps the jealousy which
subsequently showed itself in regard to the custody of the hostages may
have previously existed between the two commanders, and they may have
each consented to a peace disadvantageous to Rome through fear of the
other's obtaining the chief laurels if war were entered on.

[Illustration: PLATE 3.]

The struggle for power between Volagases and his son Vardanes seems to
have lasted for three years--from A.D. 55 to A.D. 58. Its details are
unknown to us; but Volagases must have been successful; and we may
assume that the pretender, of whom we hear no more, was put to death.
No sooner was the contest terminated than Volagases, feeling that he was
now free to act, took a high tone in his communications with Corbulo
and Ummidius, and declared that n