interests if he were to proclaim the young prince, and lead the army of Syria against Orodes.  These intrigues seem, to have first caused the war to languish, and then produced the recall of the expedition.  Orodes summoned Pacorus to return to Parthia before the plot contrived between him and the Romans was ripe for execution; and Pacorus felt that no course was open to him but to obey.  The Parthian legions recrossed the Euphrates in July, B.C. 50; and the First Roman War, which had lasted a little more than four years, terminated without any real recovery by the Romans of the laurels that they had lost at Carrhae.

CHAPTER XII.

Relations of Orodes with Pompey, and with Brutus and Cassius.  Second War with Rome.  Great Parthian Expedition against Syria, Palestine, and Asia Minor.  Defeat of Saxa.  Occupation of Antioch and Jerusalem.  Parthians driven out of Syria by Ventidius.  Death of Pacorus.  Death of Orodes.

The civil troubles that had seemed to threaten Parthia from the ambition of the youthful Pacorus passed away without any explosion.  The son showed his obedience by returning home submissively when he might have flown to arms; and the father accepted the act of obedience as a sufficient indication that no rebellion had been seriously meant.  We find Pacorus not only allowed to live, but again entrusted a few years later with high office by the Parthian monarch; and on this occasion we find him showing no signs of disaffection or discontent.

Nine years, however, elapsed between the recall of the young prince and his reappointment to the supreme command against the Romans.  Of the internal condition of Parthia during this interval we have no account.  Apparently, Orodes ruled quietly and peaceably, contenting himself with the glory which he had gained, and not anxious to tempt fortune by engaging in any fresh enterprise.  It was no doubt a satisfaction to him to see the arms of the Romans, instead of being directed upon Asia, employed in intestine strife; and we can well understand that he might even deem it for his interest to foment and encourage the quarrels which, at any rate for the time, secured his own empire from attack.  It appears that communications took place in the year B.C. 49 or 48 between him and Pompey, a request for alliance being made by the latter, and an answer being sent by Orodes, containing the terms upon which he would consent to give Pompey effective aid in the war.  If the Roman leader would deliver into his hands the province of Syria and make it wholly over to the Parthians, Orodes would conclude an alliance with him and send help; but not otherwise.  It is to the credit of Pompey that he rejected these terms, and declined to secure his own private gain by depriving his country of a province.  Notwithstanding the failure of these negotiations and the imprisonment of his envoy Hirrus, when a few months later, having