Page:The History of Armenia - Avdall - Volume 1.djvu/173

 128 HlftTORT OP ARMENIA.

the Romans, he might be able to make head i^ainst the future machinations of the young Artaces and the Pei^ians.

He therefore dispatched an embassy to Rome to solicit Vespasian, who then wore the purple^ to confer on him the government of the late Tirithus, offering to exchange for it all the possessions the Armenians had in Mesopotamia, and to pay some additional tribute. His negotia* tions at Rome met with a success that exceeded his most sanguine expectations, for he had contemplated some difficulties in obtaining from the emperor the object he sought. He then obtained the support of the chiefs of Upper Armenia, and without experiencing any oppo- sition, took possession of the whole of that country. Immediately after this, he transferred his court from Nisibis, to the city of Armavir, in the province of Ararat, and commenced A.D.78. making improvements in his kingdom. He built a beautiful city between the rivers Arax and Akhurian, which he named after himself Erwandashat. To this city, after residing in Armavir three years, he removed the seat of his government. He however left his gods in Armavir, until he had erected another city on the banks of the Akhurian, when he brought them thither, after building magnificent temples for their reception. He appointed his brother

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