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

HISTORY OF ARMENIA. 223
was but a youth at the time of his assuming
the crown, yet remarkable for the possession
of a dauntless mind, Herculean strength, and
admirable address in the use of all the weapons
employed by men, of that age, in war. He more
than once bore off the prize in wrestling at the
Olympic games, and in the public arena he
frequently engaged and overcame alone the most
furious beasts of prey, such as lions, tigers, &c.:
by these exploits he became a
great favourite
with the Grecian populace. It is also related,
that in a battle between the Greeks and Longobardians
he engaged five persons at once, and
slew them without receiving the smallest injury.
Besieging a castle with a detachment of Grecian
troops he killed, in the course of a few hours,
by his skill in archery, seventeen men, who were
stationed on the battlements, and was the
principal cause of its speedy surrender, none of
its garrison daring to appear on the walls
through dread of his arrows.
Having accepted
the crown of Armenia, he proceeded toward the
kingdom with a body of Grecian troops, amongst
whom were several distinguished generals. On
his arrival on the confines of Daranaghy, he discovered
a band of Syrian robbers, who had for a
long period infested the country. He immediately
attacked ihem; they fled, and he pursued
until
the fugitives arrived on the banks of the