Then the Roman commended the young prince
for
CORBULO'S DIPLOMATIC SUCCESS |
abandoning rash
courses, and adopting a safe and expedient policy. Tiridates first dwelt
much on the nobility of his race, but went on to speak in a tone of
moderation. He would go to
Rome, and bring the
emperor a new glory, a suppliant Arsacid, while
Parthia was prosperous. It was then agreed that
Tiridates should lay down his royal crown before Cæsar's image, and
resume it only from the hand of Nero. The interview then ended with a kiss.
After an interval of a few days there was a grand display on both sides; on
the one, cavalry ranged in squadrons with their national ensigns; on the
other, stood the columns of our legions with glittering eagles and standards
and images of deities, after the appearance of a temple. In the midst, on a
tribunal, was a chair of state, and on the chair a statue of Nero. To this
Tiridates advanced, and having slain the customary victims, he removed the
crown from his head, and set it at the foot of the statue; whereupon all
felt a deep thrill of emotion, rendered the more intense by the sight which
yet lingered before their eyes, of the slaughter or siege of Roman armies.
"But now," they thought, "the calamity is reversed; Tiridates is about to
go, a spectacle to the world, little better than a prisoner."
