Tearing the letter to fragments and trampling it beneath his feet, he exclaimed--"Who is this Odenathus, and of what country, that he ventures thus to address his lord?
Let him now, if he would lighten his punishment, come here and fall prostrate before me with his hands tied behind his back.

Should he refuse, let him be well assured that I will destroy himself, his race, and his land." At the same time he ordered his servants to cast the costly presents of the Palmyrene prince into the Euphrates.
This arrogant and offensive behavior naturally turned the willing friend into an enemy.

Odenathus, finding himself forced into a hostile position, took arms and watched his opportunity.

So long as Sapor continued to advance, he kept aloof.

As soon, however, as the retreat commenced, and the Persian army, encumbered with its spoil and captives, proceeded to make its way back slowly and painfully to the Euphrates, Odenathus, who had collected a large force, in part from the Syrian villages, in part from the wild tribes of Arabia, made his appearance in the field.