rial behind her of this
benefaction, which she bestowed on our whole nation. And when her son
Izates was informed of this famine, [5] he sent great sums of money to
the principal men in Jerusalem. However, what favors this queen and king
conferred upon our city Jerusalem shall be further related hereafter.

CHAPTER 3. How Artabanus, the King of Parthia out of Fear of the Secret
Contrivances of His Subjects Against Him, Went to Izates, and Was By Him
Reinstated in His Government; as Also How Bardanes His Son Denounced War
Against Izates.

1. But now Artabanus, king of the Parthians perceiving that the
governors of the provinces had framed a plot against him, did not think
it safe for him to continue among them; but resolved to go to Izates,
in hopes of finding some way for his preservation by his means, and, if
possible, for his return to his own dominions. So he came to Izates,
and brought a thousand of his kindred and servants with him, and met him
upon the road, while he well knew Izates, but Izates did not know him.
When Artabanus stood near him, and, in the first place, worshipped
him, according to the custom, he then said to him, "O king! do not thou
overlook me thy servant, nor do thou proudly reject the suit I make
thee; for as I am reduced to a low estate, by the change of fortune, and
of a king am become a private man, I stand in need of thy assistance.
Have regard, therefore, unto the uncertainty of fortune, and esteem
the care thou shalt take of me to be taken of thyself also; for if I be
neglected, and my subjects go off unpunished, many other subjects will
become the more insolent towards other kings also." And this speech
Artabanus made with tears in his eyes, and with a dejected countenance.
Now as soon as Izates heard Artabanus's name, and saw him stand as a
supplicant before him, he leaped down from his horse immediately, and
said to him, "Take courage, O king! nor be disturbed at thy present
calamity, as if it were incurable; for the change of thy sad condition
shall be sudden; for thou shalt find me to be more thy friend and
thy assistant than thy hopes can promise thee; for I will either
re-establish thee in the kingdom of Parthia, or lose my own."

2. When he had said this, he set Artabanus upon his horse, and followed
him on foot, in honor of a king whom he owned as greater than himself;
which, when Artabanus saw, he was very uneasy at it, and sware by his
present fortune and honor that h