Page:The History of Armenia - Avdall - Volume 1.djvu/98

 HISTORY OF ARMENIA. Page 53

Hannibal found an asylum with Artaces, the governor of Armenia Major, and became his favourite and confidant. He assisted him in rendering his government more secure and permanent, and was deemed a great acquisition by him. Hannibal, during his sojourn with Artaces, drew the plan of a city, afterwards built by the latter near the river Arax, which is connected with the river Mezamore, emphatically called the great mother, and he called it after his own name Artashat. To this place, which afterwards became one of the greatest cities in Armenia, Artaces transferred the seat of his government.

The two governors, Artaces and Darius, having observed that the Roman power predominated, withdrew their allegiance from the Seleucidae, and making a treaty with the Romans, were by them established in their governments. They were from this period designated kings. Hannibal, apprehending danger from this connection with his enemies, withdrew into Crete. Artaces, beloved by his subjects, daily grew in power and consequence, and made many improvements in his kingdom of Armenia. Both he and Darius governed their respective countries with a mildness that was productive of as much honour to themselves as happiness to their people. After a few years Antiochus Epiphanes