Page:Political History of Parthia.pdf/276

230 Casius, he was forced to take refuge in the open air of the hippodrome.

In the course of the winter those troops left about Nisibis occupied themselves with the construction of boats. In the spring, with the arrival of the Emperor, these vessels were transported to the Tigris. The crossing took place opposite the Gordyaean mountains under fire from the other bank. While a bridge of boats was being built, other boats loaded with heavy-armed troops and archers served as a screen and still others dashed hither and thither as though carrying landing parties. The opposing forces awaited the actual crossing, then withdrew without hostilities. No further mention is made of this fleet, and it may have been constructed solely for this crossing. All of Adiabene was taken, and a province designated as Assyria was formed out of this terri-