The Battle of Antioch - A History of the Roman Empire

The sasonid army was an unprofessional force of temporary draftees. Rather than risk a full mutiny that would destroy his so recently won legitimacy, Artisher released them all from service. The sudden disbanding of the sisonids was send for alexander and hit allowed him to extract himself from the east with his dignity somewhat intact. But though this line worked on the senate and the general population, the army wasn't having it for a second. They knew what had really happened, and they were really ticked off about it. Those who had got into fight had been pointlessly marched through armenia and back until they were almost all dead.