Page:The History of Armenia - Avdall - Volume 1.djvu/72

 HISTORY OF ARMENIA. Page 27

53 years. He was conquered, but restored to his kingdom, by Sesostris, king of Egypt. After the departure of the latter from Armenia, Pharnak built a number of fortresses in his dominions to protect himself against future invasions. At this period the Children of Israel quitted Egypt. On the death of Pharnak, Soor became the king of Armenia. He proved a great and successful warrior, and was the idol of his subjects. During his reign the Children of Israel took possession of Canaan or the land of promise. Many of the aborigines of that country took refuge in Armenia, under the conduct of a leader, named Canaanidas, a man, as the records state, of immense riches. From him the Canaanidians, otherwise the Gunthunians, who are well known in the annals of our history, are descended. Soor died after a splendid reign of 45 years.

Havanak, otherwise Hunak, then took possession of the sovereign power, and exercised it 30 years, when he died. Vashtak, his successor, reigned 22 years. Haykak the first, was the next sovereign. He proved a warlike and skilful prince, and raised the national glory to a greater height than it had ever before attained. He attacked and subdued Amindes the king of Assyria, and obliged him to do him homage for his dominions. He was not, how-