Page:The History of Armenia - Avdall - Volume 1.djvu/358

 Tbesei having penetrated to the spot where the infamous apostate Gudihon, chief of the Seunies, was stationed, attacked him. One of them thrust at the wretch wi^ his spear, which penetrated \As armoqr, and entering at his arm^ pit, went into his lungs. He fell headlong from his horse, and shortly after yielded up his sinful soul. The four Armenians were then surrounded, ^nd after a most valiant resistance, in which numbers of the enemy fell, were killed. Shapuh the prefect, filled with shame at the result of the late combat, quitted the scene of his disgrace; and Vahan, to shew bis contempt for the num- bers of the Persians, accompanied with his twenty-six followers, marched in a careless manner, appearing as a small detachment of the Persian army. Shapuh retired to Basen, and was afraid to continue any longer before Vahan. Here a messenger shortly after arrived, inform- ing the Prefect of the ill news of the death of king Phiroz, who had been defeated and killed in an engagement with the Hephthals. Shapuh, upon the receipt of this intelligence, set out for Persia, where the grandees of that kingdom being assembled, appointed Valarsh, the bro- ther of Phiroz, to the crown. This monarch was of a quiet, peaceful, and prudent turn of mind. Immediately after he ascended the throne, he held a council, and inquired into the state of Ar-

�� �