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

174 HISTORY OF ARMENIA.
march toward that country and by force supplant
the absent Tiran. Arshavir, who as we
have stated, had been left in charge of thekingdom,
on hearing of this
expedition of the
Persians, collected his men and marched to
oppose the enemy.
The adverse armies met on
the field of Mirugh, where a bloody battle took
place.
Unfortunately, many jealousies and other
dissensions broke out amongst the Armenian
chiefs, and caused them to suffer a defeat.
Having
perceived, at last, how fatal disunions were,
they became reconciled, and hazarding another
battle, put the Persians to flight. Some time
after, the northern nations made an inroad into
Armenia, by the province of the Aluans, but
A.D. 353.
being resolutely opposed, they were soon dis-
persed, and driven beyond the frontiers. Constantino
the emperor having confirmed the choice of
the nation, Tiran returned from Constantinople.
He assumed the regal authority under the title of
Tiran the Second. He made peace with
Shapuh, king of Persia, paying him a tribute
equal to that which he paid the emperor. Tiran
was a prince of very effeminate manners, and
addicted to the grossest sensuality; he had three
sons, Artaces, the father of Tirithus; Arsaces,
who succeeded him in his dominions; and Tiridates,
who was the father of Gnelus. Vertannes,
the great pontiff, having lived a life of the
greatest holiness, and governed the church of