Page:Political History of Parthia.pdf/168

122 Some even sought the protection of the Romans. Among the latter was a noble, Monaeses, a man of great prominence and wealth who had gained a reputation as a commander during the war just completed. He promised Antony to lead the Roman army and believed that he could easily win over almost all of Parthia. Induced by this favorable presentation of the situation, Antony prepared for war against the Parthians. Late in 37 or early in 36 Publius Canidius Crassus forced Armenia to become a Roman ally and then turned northward to defeat the Iberians and Albanians, thus removing the threat of an attack from the rear on the proposed expedition.

Hyrcanus, the Jewish high priest carried off to Parthia in 39, though unable to serve again in his former capacity because of his mutilated condition, wished to return home. Not long after his accession to the throne in 37 Herod sent an ambassador to request the release of Hyrcanus. Despite the protests of the local Jews, leave to depart was granted by the Parthian king. Financed by his friends, Hyrcanus journeyed to Jerusalem, where he lived in honor until 30, when he was put to death on the suspicion that he was plotting against Herod. Later Pheroras,