been thrown by the late invasion a:nd pillagey the Saracens again made an irruption, killing and destroying all before them. The inhabitants ^;^^' of Aliovit and the Buznunians were the first to *"^*- feel the horrors which these invaders brought with them. After despoiling these people^ they extended their depredations alo&g the parts about Mount Ararat. The governor Sumbat, dreading the recurrence of a similar, scene ef calamity to that which marked their first visit, went to meet them, accompanied by the general Theodorus and some other chiefs, with the inten- tion of trying to stop their ravages by submitting to whatever they wished. After distributing many valuable gifts, the Saracens were pre- vailed upon to desist from their spoliations^ by the promise of Sumbat to yield them a poll-tax for the whole nation, and to renounce obedience to the Greeks. The emperor Con- a. d. 647 \
- Haicaa
stantine, on being made acquainted with these «» 96. terms, became extremely irritated, and assem- bling a numerous army, set out with a de- termination to bring the Armenians again to subjection by the swm-d. On bis approach to Armenia, Nierses the pontiff, accompanied by a number of bishops, priests, and considerable laymen, went to meet him; and with much entreaty prevailed upon him to dismiss his anger. The emperor then proceeded with the
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