Page:The History of Armenia - Avdall - Volume 1.djvu/294

 SHrmak to succeed St. Isaac in the government t)f the Armenian church, and nominated a Persian,

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called Vehmihrshapuhy to be prefect of that kingdom. He afterwards dismissed the chiefs, loading them with valuable gifts. Thus, by the highly culpable conduct of these traitors, the dominion of the Arsacidte over the Armenians ceased for ever ; after having lasted from the time years. This memorable event occurred A. D. 428 ; and posterity has no doubt often wondered at the passiveness of the people in seeing their government overturned, their ancient institu- tions destroyed, and their very political exis« tence annihilated, without making one struggle in their defence. Some few years afterwards, on the death of Artashir or Artaces, a captive in Khujastan, the race of the Arsacidae, under which Armenia had acquired so much glory, became extinct.

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