Page:The History of Armenia - Avdall - Volume 1.djvu/261

 218 HISTORT ofakmeniaJ

spit, and bending the latter into something Ukef a crown in shape, put it into the fire to heat, and thus addressed the apostate, ^' You aspired to a crown, Merujan, with the desire of possessing- that of Armenia. Now you are aware, that I, as-. a Bagratian noble, enjoy an hereditary right of performing the act of coronation of the Armenian monarchs. I feel it then a duty incumbent on me, to crown you at this moment king of Arme- nia !" • The crown formed of the spit being now red hot, he took it with a pair of tongs from the fire, and placed it upon the detested head of the abominable apostate. Thus perished the wicked Merujan. A. D. 382. Sumbat returned to the camp of his friends;^ and further hostilities ceased. Pap was now the undisputed possessor of the throne; and distributed gifts of great value to those who had been instrumental in procuring him the crown. He would not permit Terentius, the Grecian ge- neral, to leave Armenia, retaining him near his person and loading him with honour and riches. Addeus, thecoUeagueof Terentius, was sent back to Greece with the troops of the emperor, after receiving rewards suitable to the distinguished services be had performed for the Armenian monarch. Immediately after this, St. Niersea convened an assembly at Valarshapat, com- posed of all the chiefs and princes of Armenia,

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