Page:The History of Armenia - Avdall - Volume 1.djvu/190

 Unrounded by his sons and nearest relations^ The troops preceded his corpse in their peculiar war-dress, and at intervals the trumpets sounded solen^n dirges, which rendered the spectacle mere impressive. On all sides men^ women, and children vied with each other in their expressions of grief for the loss of this excellent monarch. At his grave many individuals vo- luntarily immolated themselves, in token of their devotion and love. He was indeed more deeply regretted than any prince that had ever before swayed the sceptre of Armenia. Songs were afterward composed, narrating his great exploits, and sung with the greatest enthusiasm by the Armenians, even to the times of Moses Chore- nensis and Gregorius Magistratus. Similar songs were, it is said, composed on the death of Sumbat, that valiant and wise general, who so much contributed to the glory of Artaces.

��CHAPTER Xm.

��^w chapter embracts the period bettoeen the reign of Artavazd the Second ^ and thai of Valarsh.

Artava zd the Second, the son of Artaces the a. d. 129. Second, assumed the government of Armenia on the death of his father. In imitation of his renowned namesake and predecessor Artavazd

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