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

HISTORY OF ARMENIA. 47
siding over the country five years, was recalled
by Perdiccas, then king of Macedonia.
Neoptolemus, a celebrated Macedonian no- 368I;
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bleman, succeeded him. He was a cruel and
haughty tyrant, and harassed the Armenians to
such a degree that they were driven almost to
despair. At this period, Perdiccas the Macedonian
having defeated the kingof Cappadocia,
in a war that had broken out between them,
prince Arithes, the son of the latter, took refuge
in
Armenia, and being at enmity with Neoptolemus,
excited a rebellion amongst the Armenians,
the object of which was to expel the
tyrant.
They were easily prevailed upon to make the
attempt, and Ardward or Erwand, the chief of
the Seunics, a valiant and powerful man, having
collected troops in his country, joined the
insurgents, and attacking the tyrant unexpectedly,
the latter was defeated, and with difficulty
saved himself by flight. This occurred in the
second year of his government.
Ardward having thus expelled Neoptolemus, 3633.
and gained the affection of the Armenian '^^^^"
troops and nobles, threw off the Macedonian
yoke, and took upon himself the government of
the nation.
Perdiccas was greatly exasperated
on receiving the news of this revolt,
and as he
had no leisure to occupy himself with the affairs
of Armenia, owing to the incessant wars in which