The last incursion results in the death…

The last incursion results in the death of the Parthian commander Osaces, and splits the Parthian troops.

Marcus Tullius Cicero, appointed in 51 as one of Tarsus’ first proconsuls,sends Cassius a note of congratulations for the victory.

Appius Claudius Pulcher has been Governor of Cilicia for a biennium after his consulate, a disaster for the region, not least because his younger brother Caius had held the Asia province command for the three years 55-52, or possibly the quadriennium 55-51, so that Appius and his brother control most of Anatolia together for at least one year of overlap and perhaps two.

His predecessor P. Lentulus Spinther had been a good and honest administrator, and his successor Cicero will be one of the best in Roman history.

But the intervening Claudian command has been disorderly, harsh and corrupt.

His correspondence with Cicero as the latter approached to succeed him exhibits many signs of the severe disruption, perhaps approaching horror at times, through which the country had passed under Appius' command.

Cicero is certainly shocked by what he finds, and by the bizarre manner in which Appius avoided him and eventually left the province for home without meeting his successor.