The incursion in northern Britain and the difficulties along the Danube were soon satisfactorily managed by legates. The danger in the East was of a different magnitude. Tensions between Rome and Parthia had intensified in the last years of Antoninus' reign over control of Armenia, the vast buffer state which had often aroused enmity between the two powers, since each wished to be able to impose a king favorable to its interests. WithAntoninus' death and the uncertainty attendant upon a new emperor (in this case two, a dyarchy, for the first time in Rome's history), the Parthian monarch, Vologaeses III, struck rapidly, placed his own candidate upon the Armenian throne, and inflicted severe setbacks upon the Roman forces sent to oppose him. Marcus decided to send his colleague Lucius Verus, whose imperial prestige would underscore the seriousness of the empire's response. Verus lacked military experience and was sorely lacking in the attributes of leadership and command; further, he was notorious for being chiefly interested in amusements and luxury. But Marcus surrounded him with several of the best generals at the empire's disposal, chief among them Avidius Cassius (c.130-175)(PIR2 A1402). From 162 on, Rome's successes and conquests were extensive and decisive. Most of Parthia's significant cities and strongholds, such as Seleucia and Ctesiphon, were stormed and destroyed, and the army's movements eastward recalled the movements of Alexander the Great some five centuries earlier. By 166, Parthia had capitulated and a Roman nominee sat on the Armenian throne. The victory appeared to be the most decisive since Trajan's conquest of Dacia, but, when Verus returned to Italy with his triumphant army, there came also a devastating plague, which had enormous effect on all provinces.
As is the case with all ancient diseases, it is almost impossible to identify this one. In all likelihood, however, it was smallpox; how severe the toll was is debated.[[10]] Clearly, it cast a pall over the triumph celebrated by the two emperors, who were honored with the titles Armeniacus and Parthicus. The last years of this decade were dominated by efforts to overcome the plague and provide succour to its victims. But already in 166, the German tribes smashed the Danubian limes, threatening the empire's stability and even existence,more than Parthia had ever done. From the north had come a far greater threat to the empire's stability, indeed existence, than that of Parthia had been. The first campaigns were punctuated by the death of Verus in 169, leaving Marcus as sole emperor. And so began the most difficult period of his life.
HISTORY OF WAR
Roman-Parthian War of Lucius Verus (161–166)
Vologeses IV, the Parthian king, entered Kingdom of Armenia and cut to pieces a Roman army, led by the governor of Cappadocia to its defence.
The Parthian monarch then invaded Syria and defeated the governor of the province in late 161.
Marcus Aurelius who had become emperor on Antoninus Pius death in 161, wishing to remove his brother Lucius Verus from the seductions of Rome, and give him an opportunity of acquiring military fame.
Lucius Verus and his general Gaius Avidius Cassius were sent with an expeditionary force to subdue the Parthians.
It lasted four years: success was generally on the side of the Romans, and Cassius crossed the Tigris took Ctesiphon and destroyed the royal palace.he war appears to have been concluded by a treaty, by which the Parthian monarch resigned all claim to the country west of the Tigris.
The Parthian monarch then invaded Syria and defeated the governor of the province in late 161.
Marcus Aurelius who had become emperor on Antoninus Pius death in 161, wishing to remove his brother Lucius Verus from the seductions of Rome, and give him an opportunity of acquiring military fame.
Lucius Verus and his general Gaius Avidius Cassius were sent with an expeditionary force to subdue the Parthians.
It lasted four years: success was generally on the side of the Romans, and Cassius crossed the Tigris took Ctesiphon and destroyed the royal palace.he war appears to have been concluded by a treaty, by which the Parthian monarch resigned all claim to the country west of the Tigris.
The real hero of the Parthian was Avidius Cassius, a native Syrian from Cyrrhus, rather than the indolent Emperor Lucius Verus.
Avidius Cassius was a brave soldier, an able general and a strict disciplinarian, whose severity often became cruelty; yet he was loved by the soldiers, and he possessed many great and good qualities.
Roman-Parthian War of Lucius Verus (161–166)
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