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

134 HISTORY OF ARMENIA.
in pursuit ; and arriving there shortly after the
king had entered, blocked up the principal
gate, and then awaited the arrival of Artaces.
The latter, at the conclusion of the late battle,
took possession of the fortified camp of Erwand,
and halted within the wall before mentioned.
Argam with his troops encamped for the night
on the field of battle. Before noon the next
day, the young prince joined his brave and
faithful Sumbat. As Erwand, it will be recollected,
had circulated the false report of Artaces
being the son of a Mede, the latter caused his
troops to surround Erwandashat, in which the
king had taken refuge, and all with one voice to
shout in the Persian language " Mar amed!" that
is, "The Mede is come!" From this little circumstance,
the city thenceforward was also called
Maramed. The army of Sumbat pressed the
siege of Erwandashat, and having in an attack
upon it penetrated as far as the inner ramparts,
the inhabitants surrendered. Erwand had
foreseen this event, and provided a ladder by
which he might make his escape ; but, unfortunately
for him, the troops, in their first assault,
ascended the wall by the very side where the
ladder lay, and taking possession of it, left him
no resource for avoiding his enemies. On the
surrender of the place, he hid himself in a
private apartment of his palace, but being dis-