Page:Political History of Parthia.pdf/164

118 the arrival of the Parthians. Since he had not opposed the passage of the Euphrates, the Parthians supposed his forces to be inadequate and attempted an attack on his camp, which was located on high ground near Gindarus (Tell Jindaris), a little west of the ʿAfrīn River. The attacking force, composed of cavalry, was driven down the hill in confusion and slaughtered at the bottom by the heavy-armed men and slingers. In the midst of the mêlée Pacorus was slain, and with his death the Parthian forces melted away. A slightly different version is given by Justin, according to whom a part of the legions of Ventidius charged the Parthians, defeated, and pursued them. Pacorus, when he saw the Roman camp apparently defenseless, threw himself with the remainder of his troops upon it. The Roman reserves then advanced and cut to pieces the last of the Parthians, and Pacorus perished in this last struggle. Of the remaining Parthians, some were cut off and killed in an attempt to recross the bridge over the Euphrates, and some fled for refuge to Antiochus of Commagene, father-in-law of Orodes, who was now openly pro-Parthian. The head of Pacorus was displayed in the revolting