More than military power, although that was often the leverage employed to get agreement, foreign policy in the ancient world encompassed diplomacy, treaties and tributes, the exchange and taking of hostages and prisoners, and trade. However, not everything was done for power, territory or wealth. In 22BC, Phraates IV of Parthia was able to negotiate the return of his son, who had been kidnapped by the usurper Tiridates when he fled to Rome. In exchange for Phraates’ son, Augustus and the Senate were able to secure the return of the Eagles that had been lost at the disastrous Battle of Carrhae some thirty-three years earlier.
