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Rh rising had been started in Syria, probably by the pro-Parthian party. From Jamblichus, the son of the famous Sampsiceramus of Emesa (Homs), leader of the Arab allies, came the same news. Cicero went into camp at a point near Cybistra (Ereğli) at the foot of the Taurus. Thence he sent frantic appeals to the Senate for more troops, since the Roman forces in the province were scarcely sufficient to maintain order. The majority of the legions were held in Spain and Gaul near the persons of Pompey and Caesar, who were preparing for the coming struggle and were loath to part with their troops. Jamblichus, Tarcondimotus, and Deiotarus remained faithful to Rome, but only the forces of the last named could be depended upon with certainty. To make matters worse, the native population, suffering from the greed and oppression of former governors, was only too ready to welcome the Parthians.

Cicero remained in camp near Cybistra for five days, since from that point, which commanded the Cicilian Gates, he could both block a Parthian thrust through Cappadocia and act as a threat to the vacillating Artavasdes of Armenia. By September 20