the Parthians held the advantage.[1] Perhaps this was because the numerical superiority of the Parthians enabled them to extend their line in a flanking movement until the inferior Roman forces were greatly weakened. Macrinus after the defeat was able to purchase peace at the cost of two hundred million sesterces expended in gifts to Artabanus and influential Parthians.[2] To the Senate the whole affair was represented as a Roman victory, and Macrinus was offered the title of "Parthicus," a title which he felt constrained to refuse. Coins were struck in 218 with the legend VICT(ORIA) PART(HICA).[3]
In June, 218, Macrinus was defeated near Antioch. He sent his son Diadumenianus to seek refuge with Artabanus; but the young man was captured at Zeugma and killed,[4] and the father suffered a like fate near Antioch.
- ↑ Herodian iv. 15. 4 makes the battle a draw, and this is also the implication of Mšiḥa Zkha, p. 28 (tr. p. 104). Dio Cass. lxxix (lxxviii. 26. 7 f.) definitely gives the Parthians the advantage. The price of the peace seems to settle the point in their favor. The campaign is mentioned in Capit. Macrinus 2. 2.
- ↑ Dio Cass. lxxix (lxxviii. 27. 1). For mentions of Greeks who served and died in the campaigns of this period against the Parthians see Paul Wolters, "Ein Denkmal der Partherkriege," Mitteilungen des K. Deutschen archäologischen Instituts, Athenische Abteilung, XXVIII (1903), 291–300; CIG, I, Nos. 1253 and 1495; Klio, XI, 358-66. Cf. Dio Cass. lxxviii (lxxvii. 7); Herodian iv. 8. 3.
- ↑ K. Regling, "Romische aurei aus dem Funde von Karnak," in Festschrift zu Otto Hirschfelds 60. Geburtstage (Berlin, 1903), p. 297, No. 60.
- ↑ Dio Cass. lxxix (lxxviii. 39 f.); Capit. Opellius Macrinus 10.
