History of Armenia, by Father Michael Chamich; from B. C. 2247 to ...

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HISTORY OF ARMENIA.
ing possession of the whole of Assyria, part of
which, as we before observed, was under the
government of Tigranes.
CHAPTER V.
Other Transactions which occurred in
Tiirranes.
the days of
^ff^} At this time Tigranes the king of Armenia,
516:i.
who was now advanced in years, fell sick. And
as he was greatly beloved by his officers and
ministers, an universal dejection prevailed. The
circumstances with which we closed our last
chapter respecting the loss of the Assyrian
provinces being at this time communicated to
him, contributed not a little to render him
uneasy. The Romans were about making an
expedition to the east for the purpose of avenging
the death of Crassus. Their military preparations
for this purpose being made known to
Tigranes, he apprehended some danger from
them. At length he determined on making an
alliance oflPensive and defensive with Arshez
the kins: of Persia. This measure could only
be done by a voluntary relinquishment of that
right of precedency which his father Artaces
had succeeded in wresting from the Persian
monarchs. Reflecting on the improbability of