Moreover, the troops of Antiochus had, we are informed, been enervated by an excessive indulgence on the part of their leader during the marches and halts of the preceding summer.

Their appetites had been pampered; their habits had become unmanly; their general tone was relaxed; and they were likely to deteriorate still more in the wealthy and luxurious cities where they were bidden to pass the winter.
These various circumstances raised the spirits of Phraates, and made him hold himself in readiness to resume hostilities at a moment's notice.
Nor was it long before the complications which he had foreseen began to occur.

The insolence of the soldiers quartered upon them exasperated the inhabitants of the Mesopotamian towns, and caused them to look back with regret to the time when they were Parthian subjects.

The requisitions made on them for stores of all kinds was a further grievance.

After a while they opened communications with Phraates, and offered to return to their allegiance if he would assist them against their oppressors.
Phraates gladly listened to these overtures.