Page:The History of Armenia - Avdall - Volume 1.djvu/160

 ��Artaces, king of Persia, sncceeded in fixing the crown on the head of his^ eldest son Arsaces. Hereupon the Roman emperor Tiberius wrote to Mithridates, brother of Pharsman king of the GreorgianS) a* brave and skilful man, desiring him to march with his troops into Upper Armenia, and assume the government of it. Mithridates, by means of intrigue, induced the domestics of Arsaces the king of Armenia to put the latter to death, promising them a large reward. On this event taking place he marched with his army to the city of Artashat, where he commenced his reign. The news of these changes reaching Artaces king of Persia, he sent his youngest son Arshez with a large body of men to reconquer the kingdom. But Mithridates having apprized his brother Pharsman of this expedition, the latter assisted by the Aluans and Sarmatians, attacked and dispersed the Persian troops, and confirmed his brother Mi- Aridates in the possession of Armenia. A few a. d. 52. years then elapsed in peace, until Hiramizd, the son of Pharsman, coming on a visit to his uncle in Armenia, rekindled the torch of war, and plunged that unhappy country into all the horrors attendant on disunion. The circumstances which led to this war are these : Hiramizd during his visit, by his condescending disposition, made a great many friends in Armenia, and casting'

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