Page:Political History of Parthia.pdf/285

Rh In the spring of 117 Trajan prepared for another expedition to Mesopotamia to make Roman control over the new provinces an actuality. The Parthians had rejected Parthamaspates, and there is some indication that Osroes had resumed control. The health of the Emperor had begun to fail shortly after the siege of Hatra, and illness now forced the abandon­ ment of his new plans and his return to Italy. Death overtook him early in August, 117.

Although for the first time the western capital of Parthia had fallen into Roman hands, this campaign of Trajan can scarcely be called an unqualified success. The very fact that the Emperor had to return the next year indicates its failure. On this first occasion the Roman forces had not encountered united Parthian resistance. Perhaps the approach or the preparation of such forces lay behind the general revolt which had cost the life of the Roman commander Maximus and the loss of his legions. Much remains to be done before an accurate and coherent account of this campaign can be written, and further archaeological evidence would be of great assistance.