ANTONY. 187 psydra,* to carry along with him. In this interval, Pacorus, the Parthian king's son, who was marching into Syria with a large army, was met by Ventidius, who gave him battle in the country of Cyrrhestica, slew a large number of his men, and Pacorus among the first. This victory was one of the most renowned achievements of the Romans, and fullv aveno;ed their defeats under Crassus, the Par- thians being obliged, after the loss of three battles succes- sively, to keep themselves within the bounds of Media and Mesopotamia. Ventidius Avas not willing to push his good fortune further, for fear of raising some jealousy in Antony, "but, turning his arms against those that had quitted the Roman interest, he reduced them to their former obedience. Among the rest, he besiesred Anti- ochus, king of Commagene, in the city of Samosata, who made an offer of a thousand talents for his pardon, and a promise of submission to Antony's commands. But Ven- tidius told him that he must send to Antony, who was already on his march, and had sent word to Ventidius to make no terms with Antiochu.s, wishing that at any rate this one exploit might be ascribed to him, and that people might not think that all his successes were won by his lieutenants. The siege, however, was long protracted ; for when those within found their offers refused, they defended themselves stoutly, till, at last, Antony, finding he was doing nothing, in shame and regret for having refused the first ofier, was glad to make an accommoda- tion with Antiochus for three hundred talents. And, having given some orders for the affairs of Syria, he returned to Athens ; and, paying Ventidius the honors he well deserved, dismissed him to receive his triumph. He is the only man that has ever yet triumphed for vic-
- The Clepsydra was a sacred side of the Acropolis, near the cave
spring, still to be found, inclosed in of Apollo and Pan. 1 chapel in the rock, on the north
