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

100 hist:>ry of Armenia.
4000:
5199
eulogiums have been passed on Abgar by
both Latin and Greek historians.
His Armenian
subjects gave him the surname of" Avag-ayr*
that is, **
excellent in wisdom and estimable in
manners." The Assyrians and Greeks not being
able to pronounce these words correctly, some
called him Avagar, others varied it to Apacar,
but the general term into which this prince's
surname sunk is Abgar. The Assyrians generally
designated him Agpar, which signifies eminent
or great. His original name after a short
period ceased to be in use.
This need hot astonish
our readers when they reflect that a variety
of words in every language are sadly altered by
the vulgar, through their incorrect pronunciation.
Thus in Armenian for instance, instead of
Astwazatoor, it is pronounced Astoor; instead
of Mukhithar, Mukhik ;
for Martirose they say
Mirto; for Carapiet, Curpo, &c. Again, a
few more examples of the same kind are shewn
in the words Valarsakert, called Alashkert;
Arkori, Akori ; Manavazakert, Manazkert ; &c.
Hence, with respect to the just surname
Avag-Ayr; this was corrupted into Abgar.
In the second year of the reign of Abgar, a
decree was issued by the Emperor Augustus to
tax all the kingdoms and states that acknowledged
the Roman dominion,
and also to erect
statues of him in the religious temples of every