Page:Political History of Parthia.pdf/228

182 despoil the Roman adherents. His horsemen managed to evade the troops sent against them and continued their successful raids. Corbulo sought in vain to catch Tiridates and at last was forced to adopt the tactics of his opponent and divide his men into bands to pillage the country. At the same time he advised Antiochus of Commagene to advance across the Armenian frontier. Pharasmanes of Iberia also allied himself with the Roman cause, and the "Insochi," possibly the Moschi or the Heniochi, were actively harassing the Armenians. Vologases and most of his troops were occupied with a revolt in Hyrcania which ultimately resulted in the permanent loss of that territory to Parthia. The Hyrcanians sent an embassy to Rome for aid, which apparently was not forthcoming.

Corbulo was aware of this diversion of Parthian forces. Hence when Tiridates made tentative overtures and requested to know the cause of the invasion, the Roman commander did not hesitate to reply that Tiridates should address himself as a suppliant to Nero, from whom he might receive his kingdom again in a peaceful manner, rather than attempt to hold it through bloodshed. Extended negotiations followed, but attempted treachery and a feeling of uncertainty on both sides caused their eventual abandonment.