Here the natives were friendly to him, and he lived a retired life," waiting" (as he said) "until the Parthians, who could judge an absent prince with equity, though they could not long continue faithful to a present one, should repent of their behavior to him." Upon learning the flight of Artabamis, Vitellius advanced to the banks of the Euphrates, and introduced Tiridates into his kingdom.

Fortunate omens were said to have accompanied the passage of the river; and these were followed by adhesions of greater importance.

Ornospades, satrap of Mesopotamia, was the first to join the standard of the pretender with a large body of horse.

He was followed by the conspirator Sinnaces, his father Abdageses, the keeper of the king's treasures, and other personages of high position.

The Greek cities in Mesopotamia readily opened their gates to a monarch long domiciled at Rome, from whom they expected a politeness and refinement that would harmonize better with their feelings than the manners of the late king, bred up among the uncivilized Scyths.