In
answer to these and like arguments Claudius began to speak of the grandeur
of
Rome and the submissive attitude of the
Parthians. He compared himself to the Divine Augustus, from whom, he
reminded them, they had sought a king, but omitted to mention Tiberius,
though he too had sent them sovereigns. He added some advice for Meherdates,
who was present, and told him not to be thinking of a despot
MEHERDATES MADE PARTHIAN KING |
and his slaves, but rather
of a ruler among fellow citizens and to practise clemency and justice which
barbarians would like the more for being unused to them. Then he turned to
the envoys and bestowed high praise on the young foster-son of
Rome, as one whose self-control had hitherto been
exemplary. "Still," he said, "they must bear with the caprices of kings, and
frequent revolutions were bad.
Rome, sated with her
glory, had reached such a height that she wished even foreign nations to
enjoy repose." Upon this Caius Cassius, governor of
Syria, was commissioned to escort the young prince to
the bank of the
Euphrates.
