Artabanus very
soon marched with the whole strength of his kingdom, intent on vengeance.
The Iberians from their knowledge of the country fought at an advantage.
Still Artabanus did not retreat till Vitellius had assembled his legions
and, by starting a report that he meant to invade
Mesopotamia, raised an alarm of war with
Rome.
Armenia was then
abandoned, and the fortunes of Artabanus were overthrown, Vitellius
persuading his subjects to forsake a king who was a tyrant in peace, and
ruinously unsuccessful in war. And so
Sinnaces, whose enmity to the prince I have already
mentioned, drew into actual revolt his father Abdageses and others, who had
been secretly in his counsel, and were now after their continued disasters
more eager to fight. By degrees, many flocked to him who, having been kept
in subjection by fear rather than by goodwill, took courage as soon as they
found leaders.
Artabanus had now no resources but in some foreigners who
guarded his person, men exiled from their own homes, who had no perception
of honour, or any scruple about a base act, mere hireling instruments of
crime. With these attendants he hastened his flight into the remote country
on the borders of
Scythia, in the hope of aid, as he
was connected by marriage alliances with the Hyrcanians and Carmanians.
Meantime the Parthians, he thought, indulgent as they are to an absent
prince, though restless under his presence, might turn to a better
mind.
