Page:Political History of Parthia.pdf/291

Rh Vologases planned against the Armenians an expedition which some ancient writers claim was forestalled by correspondence from Antoninus. In any event Roman troops were sent to Syria for a Parthian war. Five years later the aged Abgarus VII of Osroene was returned to his kingdom from the east, possibly from independent Bactria or Hyrcania, whither he may have fled at the time of the Parthian counterstroke against Trajan. At the same time the Hyrcanians and Bactrians sent an embassy to Antoninus, further evidence of internal weakness in Parthia and of the continued independence of these provinces (cf. pp. 240 f.). Parthian weakness is likewise indicated by the Emperor's refusal to return the throne of Osroes, which had been captured by Trajan.

As to the Far East, Chinese records mention that a Parthian prince who came to China in 148 was among those responsible for the establishment of Buddhism there.

In 161 Antoninus Pius was succeeded by Marcus