Page:The History of Armenia - Avdall - Volume 1.djvu/388

 HISTORY OF ARMENIA. 347^

having Id Us environs seven hermits; four from Greece, and three from the country of Sagastan. The latter lived entirely upon herbs, and after leading a life of the most unblemished conduct, were martyred by the Persians, three years after having taken up their residence in the vicinity of Innaknian.

��CHAPTER Xyi.

Jie acts of Vahan the Wolf against the Persian.

About this time enmity again broke out a.d. 604. between king Khosrove and Musheh The era 53. former dispatched against the latter 10,000 men, headed by Mihran bis nephew. Mushel, not being able to make head against this force, sent for his relative Vahan, surnamed the Wolf, from the fortress of Oikan; and on his appearing before him spoke thus, "My son, I am now grown old and have no heir; I will give unto thee the whole of my posses:? ions, and thou shalt combat with the enemies of the faith, who are now coming against usT' Vahan engaged with ardour in the service of his kinsman, and sought to overcome Mihran by stratagem. He sent messengers to the latter, desiring him to return into Persia. Mihran replied, •* Deliver Mushel inta my hands, and I will quit the country!' Vahan hereupon promised to grant

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