Page:The History of Armenia - Avdall - Volume 1.djvu/101

 PART III.

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE ARSACIDAE WHICH

LASTED 580 YEARS.

The origin of the Arsacidae.

During the height of the power of the Seleucidae, while they controlled all the oriental nations, there sprang up amongst the Parthians a prince named Arsaces, descended from. Abraham by Keturah, who throwing off the Seleucian yoke, by many successful events, established himself in the city of Bahl, in the land of Cassoei. His great qualities rendered him illustrious, and he succeeded in establishing his sway over the Parthians, Persians, Medes and Babylonians. In honour of his nation, all the people over whom he reigned took the appellation of Parthians. His power in process of time extended to Armenia, which ultimately swelled the list of his conquests.