the recovery of
his lost territory. Once only does he appear to have contemplated an
outbreak. When, about the year A.D. 174 or 175, Aurelius being occupied
in the west with repelling the attacks of the wild tribes upon the
Danube, Avidius Cassius assumed the purple in Syria, and a civil war
seemed to be imminent, Volagases appears to have shown an intention of
once more taking arms and trying his fortune. A Parthian war was at this
time expected to break out by the Romans. But the crisis passed without
an actual explosion. The promptness of Aurelius, who, on hearing the
news, at once quitted the Danube and marched into Syria, together with
the rapid collapse of the Cassian revolt, rendered it imprudent for
Volagases to persist in his project. He therefore laid aside all thought
of renewing hostilities with Rome; and, on the arrival of Aurelius
in Syria, sent ambassadors to him with friendly assurances, who were
received favorably by the philosophic Emperor.

Four years after this Marcus Aurelius died, and was succeeded in the
purple by his youthful son, Lucius Aurelius Commodus. It might have been
expected that the accession of this weak and inexperienced prince would
have induced Volagases to resume his warlike projects, and attempt the
recovery of Mesopotamia. But the scanty history of the time which
has come down to us shows no trace of his having entertained any such
design. He had probably reached the age at which repose becomes a
distinct object of desire, and is infinitely preferred to active
exertion. At any rate, it is clear that he made no effort. The reign
of Gommodus was from first to last untroubled by Oriental disturbance.
Volgases III. was for ten years contemporary with this mean and
unwarlike prince; but Rome was allowed to retain her Parthian conquests
unmolested. At length, in A.D. 190 or 191, Volagases died,56 and the
destinies of Parthia passed into the hands of a new monarch.

CHAPTER XX.

_Accession of Volagases IV. His Alliance sought by Pescennius Niger,
Part taken by Parthia in the Contest between Niger and Severus,
Mesopotamia revolts from Rome. First Eastern Expedition of Severus. Its
Results. Second Expedition. Successes of Severus. His Failure at Hatra.
General Results of the War. Death of Volagases IV._

On the death of Volagases III., in A.D. 190 or 191, the Parthian crown
fell to another prince of the same name, who was probably the eldest son
of the late monarch. This pri