Artaxata

The first thing Antony did in Artaxata was to give Cyrus the guide a bag of coins and two good horses, and push him off at the gallop by the quickest route south.

Antony and Cleopatra Colleen McCullough 2007

This time Antony listened; but there were still a hundred miles to go to Artaxata, and the mood of the legions was growing steadily bleaker, creeping toward insurrection.

Antony and Cleopatra Colleen McCullough 2007

But, with fourteen under-strength legions warmly camped on the outskirts of Artaxata, King Artavasdes had no choice other than to fawn and beseech Antony to winter there.

Antony and Cleopatra Colleen McCullough 2007

“About thirty miles, and right between us and Artaxata.”

Antony and Cleopatra Colleen McCullough 2007

Armenia had fallen away since the war of Actium took place; Octavian started the exhausting journey up the Euphrates to Artaxata, fifteen legions following him on what seemed to some of the soldiers to be a march they were doomed to repeat forever.

Antony and Cleopatra Colleen McCullough 2007

There are many arrangements to be made, including a big garrison in Artaxata.

Antony and Cleopatra Colleen McCullough 2007

Safely inside Artaxata, his army camped in comfort, his own mood sanguine, he began to plan his move against the other Artavasdes.

Antony and Cleopatra Colleen McCullough 2007

Twenty-seven days after breaking camp before Phraaspa, the fourteen legions and handful of cavalry reached Artaxata, their bellies filled by a little bread and as much horsemeat as they could force down.

Antony and Cleopatra Colleen McCullough 2007

Clemency had gone the way of all the horses once charcoal had appeared between the mountain pass and Artaxata.

Antony and Cleopatra Colleen McCullough 2007

The moment it reached Artaxata, it was to start the journey to Phraaspa.

Antony and Cleopatra Colleen McCullough 2007