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CHAP. XXVII. [ H]
Of the Death of King Antiochus: and how the Alans invaded Armenia.
IN the fourth year of Vespasian's Reign, it hapned that Antiochus King of Comagena•• with all his family fell into great misfortune upon this occasion. Cesennius Petus Governour of Syria (either for envy, or for that indeed it was so; for it is not well known) sent Letters to Caesar, declaring to him that Antiochus was determined to revolt from the Romans, together with his Son Epiphanes; that he had made a League with [ I] the King of the Parthians; and that therefore it was necessary to prevent them in time, lest if they first began to revolt openly, they might trouble all the Roman Empire with War. Caesar did not neglect this news, for that the nearness of both the Kings Countries one to another seemed to require that they should be quickly prevented: for Samosata the greatest City of Comagena is situate upon Euphrates, and so might both easily receive the Parthians, and be a strong Hold for them; and also there they might easily pass over the River. Wherefore Vespasian sent word to Petus, That he permitted him to do what he thought expedient: and he forthwith, Antiochus thinking nothing, suddenly entred into Comagena with the sixth Legion, and certain other Companies of Foot, and [ K] some Troops of Horse, accompanied with Aristobulus King of Chalcis, and Sohemus King of Emesa, who came to assist him. They entred the Country without any fight; for none of the inhabitants offered to resist. Antiochus though surprised with this unexpect∣ed news, yet did not so much as think of any War against the Romans; but determined to leave the whole Kingdom in that estate that then it was in, and with his Wife and Children to depart from thence, hoping hereby to clear himself to the Romans, from that which they suspected of him: and going almost a hundred and thirty furlongs from the City into a Plain, there he encamped. Petus sent men to Samosata to take it, as they easily did, and were left to keep the City, whilst he with the rest of the Souldiers purpose to go against Antiochus: But the King, though by necessity urged thereto, yet would [ L] not fight against the Romans; but bewailing his misfortune, endured patienrly all what∣soever: But his two Sons being lusty strong young men, and skilfull in martial affairs, could not easily abstain from fight in this their distress. Wherefore they had recourse to their forces, and in a great fight that endured a whole day, they shewed their Valour, and came off with little loss. Yet Antiochus after this fight would not any longer abide in his Country, but taking his Wife and Daughters he fled into Cilicia, and thereby discouraged his Souldiers, who dispairing to keep the Kingdom for him, revolted to the Romans. But Epiphanes and the rest were forced to seek to save themselves, before such time as they were left destitute, and so accompanied with ten Horsemen, they pas∣sed the River Euphrates: And so being out of danger, they went to Vologesus, by whom they were received, not as Fugitives, but with great honour, and according to their de∣gree, [ M] as though they yet possessed their ancient dignity.
Petus coming to Tarsus of Cilicia, sent a Centurion to arrest and carry Antiochus bound to Rome. But Vespasian permitted not the King to be so ill treated, considering more the old Friendship between them, than the offence which he believed had given occasion to this War. Wherefore he commanded, that in the way as he came, he should be unbound and stay a while at Lacedemon, and forbear his journey towards Rome; allowing him money sufficient to maintain his Kingly dignity.
Epiphanes, and those with him hearing this, were eased of the great concern they took for their Father, whom they greatly feared to be fallen into some danger; and now they also conceived some hope to be reconciled to Caesar; whereof Vologesus writ to Vespasian, [ N] who courteously gave them leave to come to Rome; and their Father was presently sent for to them from Lacedemon, and so they remained at Rome in great honour.
The Nation of the Alanes, being originally Scythians, inhabit about the River Tanais, and the Marshes of Meotis, as in another place we have recounted. They conspiring with the King of Hyrcania to pass into Media and sack it (for he was Ma∣ster of that passage which King Alexander had made in such wise, that it was shut up with Iron Gates) obtained leave to pass, and so came into Media, whilst the Medes nothing feared any such matter, and sacked and spoiled all their populous and wealthy borders being full of Cattel, none daring to resist them; for Pacorus King of that Country, for fear fled into the strongest hold he had, and left all his goods behind him, and with much [ O] ad•• readeemed his Wife and Concubines, whom they had taken, for a hundred talents.