Internal troubles of the Parthian Kingdom.
Second Expulsion and return of Artabanus.

His Death._ The accession of Phraataces made no difference in the attitude of Parthia towards Armenia.

The young prince was as anxious as his father had been to maintain the Parthian claims to that country, and at first perhaps as inclined to believe that Augustus would not dispute them.
Immediately upon his accession he sent ambassadors to Rome announcing the fact, apologizing for the circumstances under which it had taken place, and proposing a renewal of the peace which had subsisted between Augustus and his father.

Apparently, he said nothing about Armenia, but preferred a demand for the surrender of his four brothers, whom no doubt he designed to destroy.

The answer of Augustus was severe in the extreme.