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

260 HISTORY OF ARMENIA.
expected, his anger knew no bounds ; some of
the Armenians he tortured by flagellation, many
perished by starvation, imprisonment, and various
other modes of punishment. When he found
all useless, and their faith alike proof against
his favour and his vengeance, he sent into Armenia
one Denshapuh to harass the inhabitants by
heavy taxes, leaving it to his discretion to
torture
them, if thev were unable to furnish what
he might require from them. A!l^ however, was
ineffectual ; the people were firm in their
attachment to the faith of their forefathers.
A. D. 450. After the conquest of the Huns, which took
place some short time after these events,
Hazkert
returned to Persia. Hence he wrote, to
the Armenians, directing them in the mof^
peremptory manner to embrace the Persian
religion. He also ordered Mihrnerseh, the
apostate before-mentioned, to send them an
account of the tenets of the Persian faith.
On the arrival of the king's letter in Armenia,
St Joseph the pontiff convened a meeting
in the city of Artashat, attended by all the
chiefs, and here, by general consent, they
wrote a reply, alike distinguished for its wisdom
and piety. Hazkert, on receipt of it, became
highly exasperated at the language it contained,
and immediately issued a mandate, commanding
the whole of the Armenian chiefs to
repair to his court.