Page:The History of Armenia - Avdall - Volume 1.djvu/82

 HISTORY OF ARMENIA. Page 37

which the powers of his understanding gave him over his fellow-men, which, in too many instances, is the means of estranging the good will of others from its possessor, by his unassuming disposition was never employed but for the best purposes. His person was not at all inferior to his mind, for the perfection of manly beauty shone in it. He was also distinguished for the most chivalric bravery, and during his reign the manners and customs of the Armenians experienced a complete revolution. Refinement in dress and living was carried to the highest pitch of perfection, and the army was completely re-modelled, upon principles which afterwards proved the source of so much glory to the nation. He engaged in several wars with the adjacent powers, in all of which he was attended by incredible success. He defeated the Greeks, and compelled them for a long period to pay him tribute. Cyrus at this period was at the head of the Persian nation, and had immortalized himself by the most splendid achievements in war. An alliance offensive and defensive was formed between this monarch and Tigranes, which nearly proved the means of depriving the latter of his crown and life.

Ahasuerus, king of Media, who was at this time at war with Cyrus, no sooner heard of the alliance that had been formed between