Page:The History of Armenia - Avdall - Volume 1.djvu/92

 HISTORY OF ARMENIA. Page 47

siding over the country five years, was recalled by Perdiccas, then king of Macedonia.

Neoptolemus, a celebrated Macedonian nobleman, succeeded him. He was a cruel and haughty tyrant, and harassed the Armenians to such a degree that they were driven almost to despair. At this period, Perdiccas the Macedonian having defeated the king of Cappadocia, in a war that had broken out between them, prince Arithes, the son of the latter, took refuge in Armenia, and being at enmity with Neoptolemus, excited a rebellion amongst the Armenians, the object of which was to expel the tyrant.

They were easily prevailed upon to make the attempt, and Ardward or Erwand, the chief of the Seunics, a valiant and powerful man, having collected troops in his country, joined the insurgents, and attacking the tyrant unexpectedly, the latter was defeated, and with difficulty saved himself by flight. This occurred in the second year of his government.

Ardward having thus expelled Neoptolemus, and gained the affection of the Armenian troops and nobles, threw off the Macedonian yoke, and took upon himself the government of the nation. Perdiccas was greatly exasperated on receiving the news of this revolt, and as he had no leisure to occupy himself with the affairs of Armenia, owing to the incessant wars in which