Page:The History of Armenia - Avdall - Volume 1.djvu/100

 HISTORY OF ARMENIA. Page 55

take possession of it. Morpheulices terrified at the news, immediately applied for aid to Areth king of Cappadocia. Artaces informed of this, sent messengers to Areth, saying "Why need you interest yourself with the sons of Darius? Come and join me. We will kill them and take possession of Armenia. The one that is with me, I will despatch; he who is now with thee, may be taken off with ease, and thus success crowns our enterprize!" But Areth was averse to this cruel project and wrote to Artaces bidding him quit his unjust and barbarous designs. Areth furnished Morpheulices with an army to oppose Artaces. Morpheulices was a man of gigantic stature and undaunted courage, fierce and terrible in his appearance, and skilful in all the practices of war. Artaces, in the midst of his preparations for the invasion of Armenia Minor was suddenly taken off by death, having attained a very advanced age, and governed Armenia Major for a period of 30 years. His son Artavazd succeeded him. He reigned 10 years and was the last governor of Armenia Major, being succeeded by the Arsacidae.