Page:Political History of Parthia.pdf/237

Rh The siege of the camp was to be abandoned, and all Roman soldiers were to be withdrawn from the confines of Armenia. All forts, supplies, and provisions were to be turned over to the Parthians. When these conditions had been fulfilled, Vologases was to be free to send ambassadors to Nero to negotiate the Armenian question. In addition the Romans were forced to bridge the Arsanias River (Murat Su), which ran before their camp, as a visible symbol of their defeat. These stipulations were carried out faithfully, but not without further difficulties for the vanquished; for even before the Roman troops left the intrenchments, the Armenians entered and seized the arms and clothing of the legionaries, who dared not protest lest a general massacre ensue.

Paetus hastened to the Euphrates, abandoning his wounded along the way. There he met Corbulo, whom he attempted to persuade to return with him and resume the attack. This Corbulo sensibly refused to do. He returned directly to Syria, while Paetus spent the winter in Cappadocia.

Monaeses was sent by Vologases to Corbulo with a request that the forts on the east side of the Euphrates be abandoned by the Romans. Negotiations were conducted on the bridge which Corbulo had built over the river, but only after the central portion had been destroyed. The Roman commander agreed to evacuate the forts if the Parthians would