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

HISTORY OF ARMENIA.
133
partial successes led them to entertain. The
Georgian troops, led on by their king Pharsman,
the grandson of Pharsman the First, making an
attack on that part where Sumbat was, were so
warmly received that they took to flight. The
slaughter
severe.
in
of Erwand's army became now more
That part of it which had been collected
Cappadocia and Mesopotamia fought most
courageously, but was dreadfully slaughtered
by the adverse troops. It is said that the king's
men, abandoning at last all hope of victory, fought
with desperation.
During the confusion of the
battle, the young Artaces was at one moment in
imminent danger: the Tyrian horsemen, who
had been promised a large reward if they could
kill
him, had surrounded him, and while an uplifted
sword was directed at his head, he was
most providentially saved by the brave Ghisak,
the son of his nurse, who, coming with a small
party to his rescue at this critical moment, succeeded
in driving back his opponents.
Ghisak,
however, fell in this act of devotion to his
master, being cut down by a Tyrian horseman
just as success had crowned his exertions.
Night at length came on, and the army of
Erwand, taking advantage of the darkness,
retreated ; and left the victory in the hands
of Sumbat and his young ward, Erwand fled
to the city of Erwandashat. Sumbat followed