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

244 HISTORY OF ARMENIA.
Persian troops under the command of Varah,
whom he directed to seize the chiefs and nobles
and carry them to Persia. On the day of Shapuh's
arrival at Ctesiphon, Hazkert died, and the
former himself was murdered by the deceased
king's servants ; not many hours afterwards
Viram the Second succeeded to the crown of
Persia.
When the Armenian chiefs heard of the death
of Hazkert and Shapuh, and the order given by
the latter to his general respecting their seizure,
they assembled an army, and appointed Nerseh
of Chihrak general. He was a chief of distinguished
valour, and immediately after his appointment
to head the Armenian troops, set out
with them to attack the Persians.
The conflict
between simple bravery, and courage inspired
by patriotism, was short. The Persians were
completely routed. Varah, their general, observing
the fate of the day, and that there was
no hope of further assistance, rushed into the
middle of the Armenian ranks, and there met
his death from the hand of Apirsam the Spandunian.
After this, the chiefs separated, each
retiring into his stronghold, and living independent
of all controul. Some lived in inaccessible
places in
coming into
Persian king.
the mountains, being prevented from
the plains by the fear of Viram the
Every one protected himself by