Page:Political History of Parthia.pdf/240

194 this period was no doubt occupied by a long trip which Tiridates took to visit his mother and his brothers Pacorus, king of Atropatene, and Vologases, the Parthian monarch, who was at Ecbatana. In the interim the daughter of Tiridates and also his kingdom remained as hostages in Roman hands. The troops on the eastern frontier were kept ready for action, and there is evidence that the crossing near Melitene was used by troops which were pushed forward into Armenian territory.

While the war was in progress Nero had erected a triumphal arch in Rome; now that the struggle was concluded, he issued a series of coins to commemorate the closing of the Temple of Janus.

On the long journey to Rome Tiridates took care to observe the Zoroastrian regulations which were laid on him by his priestly office. The entire trip was made by land to avoid defiling the sea, and the large sums of money required to support the three thou-