HISTORY OF AMENIA. Page 32
the ensigns of royal dignity, the crown and sceptre, were scarcely known by them to have an existence, and it was not until an intercourse took place between the Armenians and Assyrians, that the former became sensible of the importance with which the decorations of a sovereign prince were invested. It appears also, from the events that took place in the reign we are about to notice, that those kings only who wore the badges of royalty, could permit other princes to assume them.
On the death of Scavordee, the government of Armenia was taken possession of by his son Paroyr; which event happened two years after the foundation of Rome. At this period Sardanapalus, a man of vicious habits and the most unruly passions, swayed the sceptre of Assyria. Five years after the assumption of the supreme controul of Armenia by Paroyr, the conduct of Sardanapalus became so disgusting to the Assyrians, that a rebellion broke out against him, headed by Arbaces, prince of the Medes, a man of talent and virtue.
This latter, previous to his commencing hostilities against Sardanapalus, sent to Paroyr and Belesis, surnamed Nabonazar, the prince of Babylon, offering, if they would join him in his projected attempt to dethrone the king of Assyria, to confer upon them the en-
