ockaded by his whole army, and
after many battles was taken through the exhaustion of the garrison; and
he carried off from thence the wife of Arsaces and all his treasures.

13. For these reasons, Arinthaeus was sent into these districts with the
rank of count, to aid the Armenians if the Persians should attempt to
harass them by a second campaign.

14. At the same time, Sapor, with extraordinary cunning, being either
humble or arrogant as best suited him, under pretence of an intended
alliance, sent secret messengers to Para to reproach him as neglectful
of his own dignity, since, with the appearance of royal majesty, he was
really the slave of Cylaces and Artabannes. On which Para, with great
precipitation, cajoled them with caresses till he got them in his power,
and slew them, sending their heads to Sapor in proof of his obedience.

15. When the death of these men became generally known, it caused such
dismay that Armenia would have been ruined without striking a blow in
its own defence, if the Persians had not been so alarmed at the approach
of Arinthaeus that they forbore to invade it again, contenting themselves
with sending ambassadors to the emperor, demanding of him not to defend
that nation, according to the agreement made between them and Jovian.

16. Their ambassadors were rejected, and Sauromaces, who, as we have
said before, had been expelled from the kingdom of Hiberia, was sent
back with twelve legions under the command of Terentius; and when he
reached the river Cyrus, Aspacuras entreated him that they might both
reign as partners, being cousins; alleging that he could not withdraw
nor cross over to the side of the Romans, because his son Ultra was as a
hostage in the hands of the Persians.

17. The emperor learning this, in order by wisdom and prudence to put an
end to the difficulties arising out of this affair, acquiesced in the
division of Hiberia, allowing the Cyrus to be the boundary of the two
divisions: Sauromaces to have the portion next to the Armenians and
Lazians, and Aspacuras the districts which border on Albania and Persia.

18. Sapor, indignant at this, exclaimed that he was unworthily treated,
because we had assisted Armenia contrary to our treaty, and because the
embassy had failed which he had sent to procure redress, and because the
kingdom of Hiberia was divided without his consent or privity; and so,
shutting as it were, the gates of friendship, he sought assistance among
th