04.01.2015 Views

apostolicfathers0201clem - Carmel Apologetics

apostolicfathers0201clem - Carmel Apologetics

apostolicfathers0201clem - Carmel Apologetics

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

664 EPISTLE OF S. POLYCARP.<br />

again in Rome in November a.d. 157 (see Schiller /. c. p. 632), this<br />

The<br />

visit or these visits to the East must be placed during the interval.<br />

airsus hononim of Neratius Proculus also, as gathered from the<br />

monument at Saepinum, requires that the Syrian expedition should take<br />

place some four years at least before the death of Antoninus Pius<br />

(Borghesi QLuvres v. p. 376).<br />

Nor is it difficult to trace the probable course of this Parthian<br />

embroglio from the meagre information which we possess. Trajan had<br />

read the Parthians a severe lesson which they did not soon forget. But<br />

a new generation arose, and with it a new king. The Vologesus with<br />

whom we are concerned, the fourth or according to some the third of<br />

that name, ascended the throne in a.d. 148 (Waddington in Borghesi<br />

/. c. p. 374). Immediately the peaceful policy of his namesake and<br />

predecessor was reversed. The interference of the Parthian king in<br />

the affairs of Armenia brought him into collision with the Romans.<br />

Armenia was invaded by Vologesus. This could not be overlooked by<br />

the Roman emperor. A strong letter of remonstrance was sent by<br />

Antoninus.<br />

But he was shrewd enough to know that stout words were<br />

unavailing, unless backed by stout deeds. Aristides elsewhere {Op. i. p.<br />

108) describes him in the Homeric phrase as 'a good sovereign and a<br />

warrior strong ' (/^ao-iAeus t' dya^os KpaTep6

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!