During the later months of autumn, Trajan advanced from Athens to Antioch.  At that luxurious capital, he mustered his forces and prepared for the campaign of the ensuing year.  Abgarus, the Osrhoene prince who had lately purchased his sovereignty from Pacorus, sent an embassy to him in the course of the winter, with presents and an offer of friendship.  Parthamasiris also entered into communications with him, first assuming the royal title, and then, when his letter received no answer, dropping it, and addressing the Roman Emperor as a mere private person.  Upon this act of self-humiliation, negotiations were commenced.  Parthamasiris was encouraged to present himself at the Roman camp, and was given to understand that he would there receive from Trajan, as Tiridates had received from Nero, the emblem of sovereignty and permission to rule Armenia.  The military preparations were, however, continued.  Vigorous measures were taken to restore the discipline of the Syrian legions, which had suffered through the long tranquillity of the East and the enervating influence of the climate.  With the spring Trajan commenced his march.  Ascending the Euphrates, to Samosata, and receiving as he advanced the submission of various semi-independent dynasts and princes, he took possession of Satala and Elegeia, Armenian cities on or near the Euphrates, and establishing himself at the last-named place, waited for the arrival of Parthamasiris.  That prince shortly rode into the Roman camp, attended by a small retinue; and a meeting was arranged, at which the Parthian, in the sight of the whole Roman army, took the diadem from his brows and laid it at the feet of the Roman Emperor, expecting to have it at once restored to him.  But Trajan had determined otherwise.  He made no movement; and the army, prepared no doubt for the occasion, shouted with all their might, saluting him anew as Imperator, and congratulating him on his “bloodless victory.”  Parthamasiris felt that he had fallen into a trap, and would gladly have turned and fled; but he found himself surrounded by the Roman troops and virtually a prisoner.  Upon this he demanded a private audience, and was conducted to the Emperor’s tent, where he made proposals which were coldly rejected, and he was given to understand that he must regard his crown as forfeited.  It was further required of him that, to prevent false rumors, he should present himself a second time at the Emperor’s tribunal, prefer his requests openly, and hear the Imperial decision.  The Parthian consented.  With a boldness worthy of his high descent, he affirmed that he had neither been defeated nor made prisoner, but had come of his own free will to hold a conference with the Roman chief, in the full expectation of receiving from him, as Tiridates had received from Nero, the crown of Armenia, confident, moreover, that in any case he would “suffer no wrong, but be allowed to depart in safety.”  Trajan answered that he did not intend to give the crown of Armenia to any one—­the country belonged to the Romans, and should have a Roman governor.  As for Parthamasiris, he was free to go whithersoever he pleased, and his Parthian attendants might accompany him.  The Armenians, however, must remain.  They were Roman subjects, and owed no allegiance to Parthia.