but to aske for Vonones sonne, Phrahates nephew; against Gotarzes tyrannie, alike intollerable to the nobilitie and communaltie. Now that his brothers are ex∣tinguished by murder, his neerest kinsemen, and such as were farthese off; he would do the like to women with child, and small children; thinking it a meanes being vn∣fortunate in warres abroad, to couer with that cowardlines his crueltie at home. That their amitie with vs was auncient, and publickly confirmed; and therefore reason we should ayd our allies, which might in strength compare with the Ro∣mans, but in deede yeeld for reuerence. Therefore the Kings children were giuen for hostages, that if they grew weary of their domesticall gouernment, they might haue recourse to the Prince and Lords of the Senate, vnder whose manner of liuing the King being brought vp, should be presumed to be the better. When they had vttered these and the like speeches, Caesar began his oration with the greatnes of the Roman Empire, and dutifulnes of the Parthians, and maketh himselfe equall to Au∣gustus; declaring that a King had beene demaunded of him also, not mentioning Tiberius at all, notwithstanding he had sent ayd likewise. He gaue certaine precepts to Meherdates, who was there present, aduertising him that he should not thinke himselfe a Lord and maister to commaund ouer his subiects as slaues; but a guide; and they citizens: and that he should vse clemencie and iustice, vertues so much the more gratefull vnto these barbarians, by how much the lesse knowne among them. Then turning himselfe to the Embassadors, he highly commended the youth which had beene brought vp in the citie, as one, whose modestie had beene well tried: that the dispositions of Kings were to be borne withal, because often changes are not profitable. That the Romane estate was growne vnto that height with ful∣nes of glory, that it desired peace and quietnes euen to forren nations. After he had thus sayd, he commaunded C. Cassius gouernor of Syria, to conduct the yong man to the riuer of Euphrates. Cassius at that time did excell the rest in the knowledge of the lawes. For militarie skill is vnknowne in time of rest and quietnes: and peace esteemeth alike of the coward and couragious. Neuertheles, as much as those quiet times gaue him leaue, he renewed the auncient discipline; kept the legions in prac∣tise with care and foresight, as if the enemie had beene at hand; thinking it a thing worthy of his ancestors, and Cassian familie, renowned among those people. Ha∣uing therefore sent for them, through whose consentment the King was demaun∣ded, and planted his camp at Zeugma, where the riuer is most passable: after that the noblemen of Parthia, and the King of the Arabians called Abbarus was come, he shewed vnto Meherdates, that the first brunt of the barbarians was fierce and hote; but by delay and lingering became cold, or turned into treason; and therefore he should couragiously go through his enterprise. But his aduise was contemned through Abbarus fraude, who detained him like an vnexperienced yong man in the towne of Edessa; as though the highest degree of fortune and princely felicitie had consisted in riot and wantonnes. And when Carrhenes called them in, and assured them, that all was in a good readines if they would make haste, they did not march straight to Mesopotamia, but turned to Armenia in an vnseasonable time, because the winter was begun. Then wearied with snowes and mountaines, comming neere to the plaine, they ioyned with Carrhenes forces. And hauing passed the riuer of Tigris, they entered into the countrey of the Adiabeni; whose King Iuliates in open shew professed himselfe a confederate of Meherdates, but vnderhand was more faithfully bent to Gotarzes.