Page:The History of Armenia - Avdall - Volume 1.djvu/457

412 to a Persian named Shekhey, who was invested with the supreme authority during Bulah's absence.

Bulah persuaded Sumbat the general to accompany him, by solemnly declaring his conviction that the Caliph, in reward for his fidelity, would confer upon him the govemmeut of Armenia. He also took with him' the Syrian Deacon Nana, of whom we before gave some particulars. When the Armenian chiefs and other captives were presented to the caliph at Bagdad, he spoke to them in a threatening tone and manner, and ordered Sumbat the general to be bound and placed with the other prisoners, whom Bulah had before sent him. Then commenced the most horrible persecution. The Caliph only gave them one alternative, torture and death, or to ienounee christianity and embrace his religion. Many, unable to endure the idea of the tortures with which they were threatened, outwardly professed to renounce christianity. Others, more firm, gloriously died in defence of their faith. Among these latter Stephen Con was conspicuous for his unshaken fortitude. Sumbat was more mildly dealt with. Onhis refusing to abjure his reiigion, he was placed in the strictest confinement, when he bitterly bewailed his having joined Bulah during the time that bloody tyrant wal de-