Page:The History of Armenia - Avdall - Volume 1.djvu/107

 HISTORY OF ARMENIA. Page 62

princes, and the latter into the several classes, military and civil, to which their talents were best adapted. He also formed his army into legions after the manner of the Romans.

What is still more worthy of record, is the singular and virtuous appointment of two officers whose duties were of a peculiar nature. The first of these had it in command to remind the king of his duty, when he was tempted to unjust or cruel measures. The other was directed to impress on the king's mind the necessity of punishing crime, and the salutary effects of example, when he was inclined to be unjustly or weakly merciful. Bagarat, his counsellor, was appointed by him to the hereditary office of placing the crown on the king's head at the coronation. This Bagarat, as was mentioned above, was a Jew, an excellent character, and of the greatest service to Valarsaces from his intimate acquaintance with the laws of God. The descendants of this individual were named after him Bagratians, many of whom, from their attachment to their faith, suffered martyrdom under our kings.

Valarsaces had several sons, and to prevent discord amongst them, and disputes about the succession to the throne, he established a law, that only the eldest son should remain with the reigning king at Nisibis, the others should be