benches and extended the fortifications to a greater distance than before. David the pontiff observing this, returned to Duin, and shortly after died there, having held the reins of the church twelve years and a half. His successor in a. p. 741. the pontificate was Tiridates the First, from the <» 190. village of Othmis in the province of Vanand, a zealous and good man, passing the most of his time in prayer, fastiug, and in the exercise of act» of charity. In his time flourished Artavazd, an Armenian prince, possessing immense influence and power, being married to Ann, the sister of the emperor Constantine Copronymus. Arta- vazd having assumed the imperial purple, in opposition to his brother-in-law, was attacked, defeated, and taken prisoner by the latter, who caused his eyes and those of his sons to be pluck- ed out. Vasak, the general of this unfortunate prince, was put to death. Immediately after this event the governor Abdulaziz died, after a go- vernment often years. Murwan,thesonofMoha- ^^^'^^ med the predecessor of Abdulaziz, then became ^^ i^'* governor of Armenia. He was a man of emi- nently great qualities, and in the second year of his sway over Armenia, he delivered charge of the country to Arsbot the Bagratian, the son of Vasak, and proceeded to Damascus. Here after some contests, wherein he proved victo-
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