BARDANES, the brother of the preceding, attempted to recover
Armenia, but was deterred from his design by Vibius Marsus, the governor of Syria. He defeated
his brother Gotarzes, who had repented of his resignation, and attempted to recover the
throne; but his successes led him to treat his subjects with haughtiness, who accordingly put
him to death while he was hunting, A. D. 47. His death occasioned
fresh disputes for the crown, which was finally obtained by Gotarzes; but as he also governed
with cruelty, the Parthians secretly applied to the emperor Claudius, to beg him to send them
from Rome Meherdates, the grandson of Phraates IV. Claudius complied with their request, and
commanded the governor of Syria to assist Meherdates. Through the treachery of Abgarus, king
of Edessa, the hopes of Meherdates were ruined; he was defeated in battle, and taken prisoner
by Gotarzes, who died himself shortly afterwards, about A. D. 50.
(Tac. Ann. 11.10, 12.10-14.)