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

24 HISTORY OF ARMENIA.
3459!
six hundred architects were employed in the
erection of the buildings in this city. It became
thenceforward the summer residence
of Semiramis, and was afterwards known by
^^^ name of Van. Card us, surnamed Arab
succeeded to the throne of Armenia at the
death of his father, under the auspices of Semiramis.
This prince, on attaining maturity,
married, and had one son named Anushavan,
w^io, (through a superstitious idea that those
trees were the favourite terrestrial residences of
the gods) was solemnly dedicated to the poplars
planted around Armavir by king Armenac.
People at that period imagined that those who
were thus offered to the gods would become
the special objects of their care.
On this account Anushavan was surnamed
the Poplar. Some few years after this event,
Ninyas, the son
his
of Semiramis, rebelled against
mother, and having formed a party vastly
superior to what was attached to the queen,
she was obliged to fly, and take refuge in
Armenia. Here she was received by Cardus
with all the friendship he could demonstrate,
and raising an army he marched with her at
the head of it to reduce her rebellious son.
A battle ensued, in which Semiramis and her
gallant ally Cardus were defeated and slain;
the former in her 62nd year, the latter in his