a greater degree of independence than had been allowed them by the Parthians, is uncertain.  They revolted however, in A. D. 40, and declared themselves a self-governing community.  It does not appear that the Romans lent them any assistance, or broke for their sake the peace established with Parthia in A.D. 37.  The Seleucians had to depend upon themselves alone, and to maintain their rebellion by means of their own resources.  No doubt Artabanus proceeded at once to attack them, but his arms made no impression.  They were successful in defending their independence during his reign, and for some time afterwards, although compelled in the end to succumb and resume a subject position under their own masters.  Artabanus seems to have died in August or September A.D. 42, the year after the death of Caligula.  His checkered reign had covered a space which cannot have fallen much short of thirty years.

CHAPTER XV.

Doubts as to the successor of Artabanus III.  First short reign of Gotarzes.  He is expelled and Vardanes made king.  Reign of Vardanes.  His ivar with Izates.  His Death.  Second reign of Gotarzes.  His Contest with his Nephew, Meherdates.  His Death.  Short and inglorious reign of Vonones II.

There is considerable doubt as to the immediate successor of Artabanus.  According to Josephus he left his kingdom to his son, Bardanes or Vardanes, and this prince entered without difficulty and at once upon the enjoyment of his sovereignty.  According to Tacitus, the person who obtained the throne directly upon the death of Artabanus was his son, Gotarzes, who was generally accepted for king, and might have reigned without having his title disputed, had he not given indications of a harsh and cruel temper.  Among other atrocities whereof he was guilty was the murder of his brother, Artabanus, whom he put to death, together with his wife and son, apparently upon mere suspicion.  This bloody initiation of his reign spread alarm among the nobles, who thereupon determined to exert their constitutional privilege of deposing an obnoxious monarch and supplying his place with a new one.  Their choice fell upon Vardanes, brother of Gotarzes, who was residing in a distant province, 350 miles from the Court. [PLATE II.  Fig. 8.] Having entered into communications with this prince, they easily induced him to quit his retirement, and to take up arms against the tyrant.  Vardanes was ambitious, bold and prompt:  he had no sooner received the invitation of the Megistanes than he set out, and, having accomplished his journey to the Court in the space of two days, found Gotarzes wholly unprepared to offer resistance.  Thus Vardanes became king without fighting a battle.  Gotarzes fled, and escaped into the country of the Dahse, which lay east of the Caspian Sea, and north of the Parthian province of Hyrcania.  Here he was allowed to reign for some time unmolested by his brother, and to form plans and make preparations for the recovery of his lost power.