250 HISTORY OF ARMENrA^
sia, Viram first spoke to the former, and ac^ quainted him with the nature of the accasatioa laid against him. The young king repliedv
- I am entirely innocent of these charges, for I
was never found remiss in protecting the coun- try, or doing justice to my subjects, as my accusers well know j I can only account for their hostility by a knowledge of its being custo- mary for them to hate their monarchs, and that in persecuting me, they only follow their usual habits."
Artashir was^ afterwards confronted with his accusers in presence of Viram, and although he urged much in his defence, the latter appeared to regard him as criminal* The Persian king wished to have the entire possession of Arme« nia, and therefore readily listened to complaints which furnished him with a pretext for gratify- ing his desires. He was, indeed, determined to condemn Artashir, when he heard the chiefs ex- claim, as if with one voice, *'^ What occasion have we for a king 't Let a Persian governor come and A.D.428. i^ule over us!" This desire of the unworthy Armenian chiefs exactly suiting the views of Viram, he forthwith deposed Artashir, and re- moved St. Isaac from the pontifical chair. He confiscated all their private property, drove the former to Khujastan, and confined the latter in prison. He appointed an individual named
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