e longer, it will contribute to a
better knowledge of the country. For whoever affects excessive
conciseness while speaking of things but little known, does not so much
consider how to explain matters intelligibly, as how much he may omit.

2. This kingdom, formerly but small, and one which had been known by
several names, from causes which we have often mentioned, after the
death of Alexander at Babylon received the name of Parthia from Arsaces,
a youth of obscure birth, who in his early youth was a leader of
banditti, but who gradually improved his condition, and rose to high
renown from his illustrious actions.

3. After many splendid and gallant exploits he defeated Nicator
Seleucus, the successor of the above-named Alexander, who had received
the surname of Nicator[139] from his repeated victories; and having
expelled the Macedonian garrisons, he lived for the remainder of his
life in peace, like a merciful ruler of willing subjects.

4. At last, after all the neighbouring districts had been brought under
his power, either by force or by fear, or by his reputation for justice,
he died a peaceful death in middle age, after he had filled all Persia
with flourishing cities and well-fortified camps and fortresses, and had
made it an object of terror to its neighbours whom previously it used to
fear. And he was the first of these kings who had by the unanimous
consent of all his countrymen of all ranks, in accordance with the
tenets of their religion, had his memory consecrated as one now placed
among the stars.

5. And it is from his era that the arrogant sovereigns of that nation
have allowed themselves to be entitled brothers of the sun and moon.
And, as the title of Augustus is sought for and desired by our emperors,
so now the additional dignities first earned by the fortunate auspices
of Arsaces are claimed by all the Parthian kings, who were formerly
abject and inconsiderable.

6. So that they still worship and honour Arsaces as a god, and down to
our day have given him so much honour that, in conferring the royal
power, one of his race has been always preferred to any one else. And
also in intestine quarrels, such as are common in that nation, every one
avoids as sacrilege wounding any descendant of Arsaces, whether in arms
or living as a private individual.

7. It is well known that this nation, after subduing many others by
force, extended its dominions as far as the Propontis and Thrace; but
that it su