196 HISTOHT OP ARUEim,
with debtors, murderers, robbers, and every der- cription of bad and dishonest characters. In a short time they became extremely numerous, yet no notice was taken of their actions, however A. D. 373. flagitious they were. The Armenian chiefs were sadly annoyed by the existence of this nest of miscreants, their servants plundering them, and then fleeing thither, secure from the arm of the law. They applied repeatedly to the sovereign to annul the privileges of the inhabitants of Arshacavan, but he was deaf to all their repre- sentations. Having heard that Shapuh had returned from the campaign against the Greeks, being aware of his intention to besiege Tigra- nakert, although unacquainted with the fate of that city, the Armenian chiefs deputed a few from their number to wait on that monarch, with letters, acquainting him with the subject of all their grievances, and praying him to join with them to demolish the newly built city of Arsha- cavan, and to take vengeance on Arsaces ; in the event of which they offered to perform any service for him. On the arrival of the deputies at Tigranakert they were astonished to see it in such ruin. They, however, immediately proceeded to the tent of the Persian king, and delivered him their letters. Shapuh was extremely glad, when he discovered the object of their mission, and when the Armenian troops.
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