Page:The History of Armenia - Avdall - Volume 1.djvu/316

 The Armenians all took the sacrament that night, and inflamed with the love of Christ and their country, felt themselves doubly strength* ened. On the following day, which was the 26tk Marery (May), and the seventh day of Whit- suntide, the Armenians, eager for the contest which was to decide the fate of all they held dear, crossed the river and commenced the attack. They were at first attended with success^ the Persians being cut down with great slaughter, but treason broke out in their ranks. Five thousand men, who were secretly attached to the other party, drew themselves off and joined the Persians. This unexpected event changed the fortune of the day, and the Armenians were routed. The glorious Vardan, having performed prodigies of valour,, fell, with nine other chiefs. In all, the number of slain on the side of the vanquished, that were left on the field, amounted to 296 men. In the pursuit, the Persians took 740 prisoners, who were pre« vented from fleeing with the same speed as the others, by being wounded. These were imme* diately put to death, making on the whole the loss of the Armenians to amount to 1,036;

The victors suffered more severely; their dain amounting to 3,544, nine of whom were great chiefs of Persia. If the defalcation of those 5,000 perfidious covrards had not throwa

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