Page:Political History of Parthia.pdf/235

Rh est. Paetus had greatly weakened his legions by granting leaves to all who applied for them. In addition his troops were not those who had been whipped into shape by Corbulo, and some of the best men were with the V Macedonica in Pontus. One cohort was dispatched to guard the wife and small son of Paetus, who were placed for safety in a fortress at Arsamosata.

Corbulo in the meantime had succeeded in bridging the Euphrates, perhaps at Zeugma, under heavy fire. He brought up ships of considerable size furnished with towers on which were placed ballistae and catapults which cleared the hills on the opposite side of the river. The bridge was thus completed and a camp established to protect the bridgehead. This success caused the Parthians to abandon their thoughts of a Syrian invasion and to turn all of their forces against the Romans in Armenia.

As soon as Paetus heard of the advance of Vologases, he at once proceeded against the Parthian. Vologases easily forced him to retire to his camp, but he failed to press home the advantage thus gained. To make matters worse, Paetus divided his forces and sent three thousand men to guard the near-by passes of the Taurus while he kept the remainder in the winter camp near Rhandeia. As an additional precaution he informed Corbulo of the seriousness of his position. Upon the receipt of this news a thousand men from each legion, eight hundred cavalry, and an