Rome’s Forgotten General: Ventidius Takes Enemy Heads and Enemy Gold – Part II
With the Amanus Pass secured, Roman general Publius Ventidius Bassus, on the mission given by Antony to retake Asia-Minor, pushed south into Syria. Prince Pacorus of Parthia of was done fighting, at least for now, and abandoned the province to the Romans in late 39 BCE. With the Parthians out of the way, Ventidius led his forces to the province of Judea.
Fleecing Kings
Ventidius’ mission in Judea was both simple and lucrative; it was to rid the province of any remaining Parthians and the anti-Roman King Antigonus, and to restore Herod to the throne. Ventidius did neither. Instead, he bypassed Herod's royal family (who were besieged by the troops of Antigonus on the top of Masada), and went straight for Jerusalem, were he camped outside the walls.
Ventidius was playing psychological warfare with Antigonus by making him think that he was going to take Jerusalem. However, it was a ruse. Ventidius decided to use fear and trickery, promising not to attack Jerusalem unless he received vast amounts of wealth from the king. Antigonus capitulated.
