1837-3 Arsaces, and Sapor the king of Persia. 85 



them to flight, in the hope of being honored by you with rewards. 

 But those, who had plotted my ruin, endeavoured to estrange my 

 heart from you, and to create dissensions between us. The oath, 

 administered to me by Mari, has conducted me to your presence, 

 and here I stand before you ! I am your servant, professing submis- 

 sion to you. Treat me as you choose, or kill me. I am a guilty man, 

 and your despicable slave.' 



" Sapor the king holding him by the hand, received his justi- 

 fication, and conducted him to that part of the ground covered with 

 the Armenian earth. No sooner had they began to walk there, than 

 Arsaces changed the tone of his voice, and had recourse to vehement 

 and insolent language. ' Thou wicked slave,' said Arsaces, ' stand 

 aloof from me ! Thou hast usurped the throne of thy lords and 

 masters ! I must punish you for the wrongs you have done to my 

 ancestors, and the death of the king Artevan* must be revenged on 

 you ! Thou hast robbed me of my crown and country, but these 

 must be restored to me, and your audacity shall not be allowed to 

 remain unpunished V 



" The king of Persia hearing this, began to walk again with 

 Arsaces on the Persian earth. The Armenian king then renewed 

 the profession of his submission, expressed his regret for what he had 

 said, and, on his knees, retracted all his expressions. But when he 

 was conducted again to the Armenian earth, he became more insolent 

 than before ; and on his returning to the Persian earth, he repented 

 of his temerity. From morning to evening many similar experiments 

 were tried by Sapor, the result whereof appeared only to be a mani- 

 festation of alternate feelings of insolence and repentance in the con- 

 duct of Arsaces. 



" Evening came on, and the hour fixed for supper approached. It 

 was usual with the king of Persia to entertain Arsaces on a sofa, 

 placed next to his own throne. But on the present occasion the 

 customary rule was not adhered to. Precedence was given to the 

 other royal guests residing within the court of Persia. Arsaces was 

 allowed to occupy the last seat, on the Armenian earth. He pre- 

 served silence for a while, burning with indignation and a desire o\f 

 revenge. At last he stood on his legs and addressed Sapor thus : 

 ' The throne on which thou sittest belongs to me. Abandon that 

 seat instantly. My nation have a just claim to it. Should you, 

 however, persist in your injustice, you may be sure of meeting with 



* Artevan was a king of Persia, whom Ardashir the Sasanian put to death, 

 and usurped his throne. — Vide Whiston's Latin translation of the history of 

 Moses Khorenensis, Book II. Chap. ]x\. 



