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Rh refuge with the Roman commander, A. Gabinius, whom he persuaded to lend him assistance in recovering the lost territory. In this case Gabinius might grasp some straw of legality, since the decree of the Senate had included in his command the Syrians, Arabs, Persians, and Babylon. The proconsul crossed the Euphrates with a detachment; but Ptolemy XI Auletes (80–51 ), who likewise had been expelled from his country, backed a request for aid with more money than the Parthian could offer. Mithradates, with Orsames, one of his aides, remained with Gabinius and did not give up hope until after the Roman victory over the Nabateans won en route to Egypt in the spring of 55

Undaunted by this failure, Mithradates started a civil war, in the course of which he won over the city of Babylon and also the royal city of Seleucia, where he struck coins depicting the Tyche, palm of victory in hand, welcoming the new ruler. Not long afterward