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of great value of which he accepted only such as he thought might
serve to adorn the temples of the gods and add to the splendour of his
triumph： the rest he left to Stratonice's disposal； bidding her please
herself in the enjoyment of them。
And in the same manner he dealt with the presents offered him by the
King of Iberia； who sent him a bedstead； table； and a chair of
state； all of gold； desiring him to accept of them； but he delivered
them all into the custody of the public treasurers； for the use of the
commonwealth。
In another castle called Caenum； Pompey found and read with pleasure
several secret writings of Mithridates； containing much that threw
light on his character。 For there were memoirs by which it appeared
that； besides others； he had made away with his son Ariarathes by
poison； as also with Alcaeus the Sardian； for having robbed him of the
first honours in a horse…race。 There were several judgments upon the
interpretation of dreams； which either he himself or some of his
mistresses had had； and besides these； there was a series of wanton
letters to and from his concubine Monime。 Theophanes tells us that
there was found also an address by Rutilius； in which he attempted
to exasperate him to the slaughter of all the Romans in Asia； though
most men justly conjecture this to be a malicious invention of
Theophanes； who probably hated Rutilius because he was a man in
nothing like himself； or perhaps it might be to gratify Pompey；
whose father is described by Rutilius in his history as the vilest man
alive。
From thence Pompey came to the city of Amisus； where his passion for
glory put him into a position which might be called a punishment on
himself。 For whereas he had often sharply reproached Lucullus； in that
while the enemy was still living he had taken upon him to issue
decrees； and distribute rewards and honours； as conquerors usually
do only when the war is brought to an end； yet now was he himself；
while Mithridates was paramount in the kingdom of Bosphorus； and at
the head of a powerful army； as if all were ended； just doing the same
thing； regulating the provinces； and distributing rewards； many
great commanders and princes having flocked to him； together with no
less than twelve barbarian kings； insomuch that to gratify these other
kings； when he wrote to the King of Parthia； he would not
condescend； as others used to do； in the superscription of his letter；
to give him his title of king of kings。
Moreover； he had a great desire and emulation to occupy Syria； and
to march through Arabia to the Red Sea； that he might thus extend
his conquests every way to the great ocean that encompasses the
habitable earth； as in Africa he was the first Roman that advanced his
victories to the ocean； and again in Spain he made the Atlantic Sea
the limit of the empire： and then thirdly； in his late pursuit of
the Albanians； he had wanted but little of reaching the Hyrcanian Sea。
Accordingly he raised his camp； designing to bring the Red Sea
within the circuit of his expedition； especially as he saw how
difficult it was to hunt after Mithridates with an army； and that he
would prove a worse enemy flying than fighting。 But yet he declared
that he would leave a sharper enemy behind him than himself； namely；
famine； and therefore he appointed a guard of ships to lie in wait for
the merchants that sailed to Bosphorus； death being the penalty for
any who should attempt to carry provisions thither。
Then he set forward with the greatest part of his army； and in his
march casually fell in with several dead bodies； still uninterred；
of those soldiers who were slain with Triarius in his unfortunate
engagement with Mithridates： these he buried splendidly and
honourably。 The neglect of whom； it is thought； caused； as much as
anything； the hatred that was felt against Lucullus； and alienated the
affections of the soldiers from him。 Pompey having now by his forces
under the command of Afranius subdued the Arabians about the
mountain Amanus； himself entered Syria； and finding it destitute of
any natural and lawful prince； reduced it into the form of a province；
as a possession of the people of Rome。 He conquered also Judaea； and
took its king； Aristobulus； captive。 Some cities he built anew； and to
others he gave their liberty； chastising their tyrants。 Most part of
the time that he spent there was employed in the administration of
justice； in deciding controversies of kings and states； and where he
himself could not be present in person； he gave commissions to his
friends； and sent them。 Thus when there arose a difference betwixt the
Armenians and Parthians about some territory； and the judgment was
referred to him； he gave a power by commission； to three judges and
arbiters to hear and determine the controversy。 For the reputation
of his power was great； nor was the fame of his justice and clemency
inferior to that of his power； and served indeed as a veil for a
multitude of faults committed by his friends and familiars。 For
although it was not in his nature to check or chastise wrongdoers； yet
he himself always treated those that had to do with him in such a
manner that they submitted to endure with patience the acts of
covetousness and oppression done by others。
Among these friends of his there was one Demetrius； who had the
greatest influence with him of all； he was a freed slave； a youth of
good understanding； but somewhat too insolent in his good fortune；
of whom there goes this story。 Cato； the philosopher； being as yet a
very young man； but of great repute and a noble mind； took a journey
of pleasure to Antioch； at a time when Pompey was not there； having
a great desire to see the city。 He； as his custom was； walked on foot；
and his friends accompanied him on horseback； and seeing before the
gates of the city a multitude dressed in white； the young men on one
side of the road and the boys on the other； he was somewhat offended
at it； imagining that it was officiously done in honour of him；
which was more than he had any wish for。 However； he desired his
companions to alight and walk with him； but when they drew near； the
master of the ceremonies in this procession came out with a garland
and a rod in his hand and met them； inquiring where they had left
Demetrius； and when he would come？ Upon which Cato's companions
burst out into laughter； but Cato said only； 〃Alas； poor city！〃 and
passed by without any other answer。 However； Pompey rendered Demetrius
less odious to others by enduring his presumption and impertinence
to himself。 For it is reported how that Pompey； when he had invited
his friends to an entertainment； would be very ceremonious in
waiting till they all came and were placed； while Demetrius would be
already stretched upon the couch as if he cared for no one； with his
dress over his ears； hanging down from his head。 Before his return
into Italy； he had purchased the pleasantest country…seat about
Rome； with the finest walks and places for exercise； and there were
sumptuous gardens； called by the name of Demetrius； while Pompey his
master； up to his third triumph； was contented with an ordinary and
simple habitation。 Afterwards； it is true； when he had erected his
famous and stately theatre for the people of Rome； he built as a
sort of appendix to it a house for himself； much more splendid than
his former； and yet no object even this to excite men's envy； since he
who came to be master of it after Pompey could not but express
wonder and inquire where Pompey the Great used to sup。 Such is the
story told us。
The king of the Arabs near Petra； who had hitherto despised the
power of the Romans； now began to be in great alarm at it； and sent
letters to him promising to be at his commands； and to do whatever
he should see fit to order。 However； Pompey having a desire to confirm
and keep him in the same mind； marched forwards for Petra； an
expedition not altogether irreprehensible in the opinion of many；
who thought it a mere running away from their proper duty； the pursuit
of Mithridates； Rome's ancient and inveterate enemy； who was now
rekindling the war once more； and taking preparations； it was
r