148 HISTORY OF ARMENIA*
A.D.144. king given to the Armenians/' After this; Tiran went into Upper Armenia, and resided for some time in the province* of Ekeliaz, a quiet and pleasant country , having appointed a chief named Erakhnavu, a wise and valiant man, to the government of Ararat, with the rank of his Lieutenant. Tiran finally settled his court at the village of Chermes, beautifying it by the erec- tion of several magnificent palaces. This prince reigned in uninterrupted peace for twenty-two years, when he met his death in the following manner. Hunting one day on the mountains, he was crushed by the fall of an avalanche, or heap of snow, which had been suddenly thawed.
A.D. 15). Tigranes the Third, brother of the late king", and the youngest son of Artaces, succeeded to the vacant throne by the influence of the king of Persia. On the death of the emperor Anto- ninus Pius, the Armenians and Persians joined, and commenced hostilities againet the Romans. Severianus, the Roman governor of Cappadocia, alarmed at this event, consulted the oracle of the god Gleucon, and received from the priest, Alexander, the following answer, " Thou shak smite the Parthians and Armenians with the edge of the sword ; and fetum to Rome with the laurels of victory. The streams of Tiber shall welcome thee with gladness, and thy brows be decorated with the garlands of con*
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