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

HISTORY OF ARMENIA. 179
determined to separate himself from the Roman
troops, and being much beloved by the Armenian
soldiery, he drew off the whole of his
division, and retired with it to the province of
Tmioris, there to await the result of those
actions of the king-,
which had induced him to
adoptthe measure he had pursued. Julian, highly
incensed at this defection of his Armenian
auxiliaries, wrote to Tiran, and after informing
him of the event, gave his advice as to the steps
the latter ought to pursue, saying, " if Zura has
acted thus without your knowledge, you should
destroy him and all his race."
The king, foliowino-
this cruel recommendation, succee led in
drawing Zura into his power, after pledging
him an oath for his safety ;
him with all
and then massacred
his family, excepting his nephew,
a youth of about twenty years of age, who is
supposed to be ihe individual known by the name
of Dnastamatm.
Tiran then appointed Salamut
prince of the province of x\nzta, to succeed
Zura m the command of the southern
division.
On the death of Julian the aj^ostate, Valentinian,
who succeeded him as emperor, proposed
peace to the Persians.
Shapuh, not liking the
terms, recommenced hostilities, and marched
towards Greece. On approaching the frontiers of
Armenia, he recollected
the injury he had sustained
from Tiran on the first expedition of
aa 2
A. D. 363.