death in 68 Nero was engaged in plans for a great expedition which had as its objective the Iron Gates of the Caucasus.[1] Possibly its ultimate aim was the Alani, as has been suggested,[2] or it might have been a feint to keep the Parthians occupied and thus prevent their sending aid to the Jews; but in any case hostilities with the Parthians could hardly have been avoided. The troublous times which followed Nero's death put a stop to all such preparations.
In 69 Vespasian declared himself emperor. Vologases, informed of the event, sent ambassadors to Alexandria the next year to offer him the use of forty thousand Parthian horse.[3] The letter which they bore was addressed: "The King of Kings, Arsaces, to Flavius Vespasianus, greetings."[4] Possibly this salutation had something to do with the polite refusal which followed, but more likely Vespasian felt he had the situation in hand. Sohaemus of Emesa and Antiochus of Commagene joined forces with Vespasian, and embassies were sent to the Parthians and Armenians so that peaceful relations might be established with them.[5] In 71 Vologases sent his congratulations to Titus at Zeugma on the Roman victories over the Jews and presented him with a gold crown.
- ↑ Tac. Hist. i. 6; Suet. Nero 19; Dio Cass. lxii (lxiii. 8. 1); Pliny Hist. nat. vi. 40; CAH, X, 773–78. See also E. M. Sanford, "Nero and the East," Harvard Studies in Classical Philology, XLVIII (1937), 75–103.
- ↑ Mommsen, Prov. Rom. Emp., II, 65 f. and n. 3.
- ↑ Suet. Vespasian 6 ; Tac. Hist. iv. 51. On a revolt in Seleucia in 69/70 see McDowell, Coins from Seleucia, pp. 228 f.
- ↑ Dio Cass. lxv (lxvi. 11. 3).
- ↑ Tac. Hist. ii. 81 f.; v. 1.
