Pacorus

PACORUS, Son of Orodes King of the Parthians, entering into Syria at the Head of a powerful Army, went to besiege Cassius in Antioch. But Cassius so bravely defended himself there, that Pacorus was forced to raise the Siege¹. He went then and sate down before Antigonine, which was not far from thence; but the Parthians were so little skill’d in the Art of attacking Places, that they were disappointed here also, and obliged to quit the Siege². Cassius then lay in Ambush for them, into which they fell, and were intirely routed. The Remainder of them turn’d back, and repass’d the Euphrates.

Pacorus came back again over the Euphrates after the Death of Julius Cæsar, along with Labienus³, who had been sent by Brutus and Cassius to the Court of the King of Parthia, to desire Assistance from him. After the Defeat of these two confederate Generals, Labienus continued among the Parthians, till the Aradians, the Palmyreneans, and the Tyrants or little Kings of Syria invited them to their Assistance, against the Tax-gatherers that oppress’d them. Pacorus with his Troops reduced all Syria and Phœnicia, but it was not possible for him to subdue Tyre, where-in the Ruins of the Roman Army had taken Shelter.

Having taken Sidon and Ptolemais⁴, he sent a Detachment into Judea, with Orders to set Antigonus the Son of Aristobulus upon the Throne. This Party was commanded by his chief Cup-bearer, who was call’d Pacorus as well as himself. Antigonus had promised the Parthians a thousand Talents, and five hundred Jewish Women; and having got some Troops together, he enter’d into Judea, supported by the Parthians that attended him. He subdued the first that made any Opposition to him, and pursued them directly to Jerusalem, into which he enter’d, and entrenched himself in the Temple. Herod and Phasael, who supported the Interests of Hyrcanus, took Possession of the Palace.

The Feast of Pentecost being come, the two Parties began to treat of an Accommodation, to prevent that Disorder which the Confluence of such a Multitude of Strangers was likely to produce. Antigonus proposed to Herod and Phasael, to take for Arbitrator of the Difference the chief Cup-bearer Pacorus, who was incamp’d near the City; in which they acquiesced. He therefore entered Jerusalem with his Troops, and persuaded Hyrcanus and Phasael to appear before Barzapharnes, who was Governor of Syria for the Parthians, in hopes to obtain some Regulations that might be beneficial to the Province. Thither they went conducted by Pacorus, who then returned to Jerusalem.

When Barzapharnes thought that Pacorus might be got back to Jerusalem, he arrested Phasael and Hyrcanus, and laid them in Irons. Pacorus had Orders to do the same by Herod; but he got some Notice of the Design, and made his Escape to Massada. The Parthians plunder’d Jerusalem, set Antigonus upon the Throne, and delivered up to him Phasael and Hyrcanus in Chains. Phasael put himself to Death, and Antigonus caused Hyrcanus’s Ears to be cut off, to make him incapable of performing the Functions of the High-priesthood. After which he delivered him again to the Parthians, who carried him along with them beyond the Euphrates.

The Parthians did not long hold the Kingdom of Syria. Ventidius General of the Roman Troops having beaten their Armies, obliged Pacorus to return back over the Euphrates⁵. The Year after Pacorus having again got a great Army together, came again into Syria⁶, but was there beaten and kill’d by Ventidius.

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