Page:The History of Armenia - Avdall - Volume 1.djvu/179

 134 HISTORY OF ARMENIA.

in pursuit ; and arriving there shortly after the king had entered, blocked up the principal gate, and then awaited the arrival of Artaces* The latter, at the conclusion of the late battle, took possession of the fortified -camp of Erwaiid, and halted within the wall before mentioned^ Argam with his troops encamped for the night on the field of battle. Before noon the next day, the young prince joined his brave and faithful iSumbat. As Erwand, it will be recoK lected, had circulated the false report of Artaces being the son of a Mede, the latter caused his troops to surround Erwandashat, in which the king had taken refuge, and all with one voice to shout in the Persian language '' Mar amedl** that is,  The Mede is come ! From this little circum- stance, the city thenceforward was also called Maramed. The army of Sumbat pressed Uie siege of Erwandashat^ and having in an attack upon it penetrated as far as the inner ramparts, the inhabitants surrendered. Erwand had foreseen this event, and provided a ladder by which he might make his escape ; but, unfortu- nately for him, the troops, in their first assault^ ascended the wall by the very side where the ladder lay, and taking possession of it, left him no resource for avoiding his enemies. On Uie surrender of the place» he hid himself in a private apartment of his palace, but being dia^

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