146 HISTORY OF ARMENIA.
the First, he exiled his brothers from his courts appointing them habitations in the provinces of Aliovit and Arberaney. Having, however, no off- spring, he directed one of them, Tiran, to remain with him, in order that in the event of his decease he might succeed to the crown. This king from his infancy had been addicted to vicious and dissolute habits, altogether unworthy his great- A. D.130. ness and dignity. His reign was a short one, for ' going one day to hunt bears and wild asses,
! near Mount Ararat, he was obliged to cross the
i river Azat, which is also called Mezamore«
After he had passed the bridge, which had been thrown over it by Artaces, he was suddenly deprived of his senses, and falling into a great pit, perished. His reign lasted two years* A fable, founded on the above incident, for a long period possessed the minds of the subjects of Artavazd. They believed that he still existed; but in a cell, and confined with chains of iron. Near him, it was also said, were two dogs, continually gnawing his fetters, for the pur** pose of releasing him ; in the event of which, it was predicted, that he would conquer the world. But, so the story went, these chains were continually strengthened by the strokes of blacksmiths' hammers. Even to the time of Chorenensis, the belief of this fable was so strong in the minds of the ignorant blacksmiths, that
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