74. Although Armenia's general, Vahan Mamikonean, was saddened by the false and vain words of the Iberian king, [g133] and recognized the weakness of the Armenian brigade (for he noticed that they were forlorn and indolent, in no way resembling their earlier diligence and enthusiasm) nonetheless, Vahan organized them into fronts. He entrusted the right wing to Barshgh Vahewuni and Saton Gabeghean; the left wing to Vaxt'ang, the king of Iberia; and he himself organized the center with the two sons of the venerable Arshawir, and the venerable lord of Gnunik'; he placed the venerable aspet Sahak and Babgen Siwni between himself and Barshgh.

While the two sides, Iranian and Armenian, were ranged opposite each other, but had not yet begun to fight, the divine power revealed which of the men would receive the crown of martyrdom that day. For the divine power transformed their ordinary mortal vision of these faces into something radiant. This was clear and evident. One especially saw the bravery of Vasak Mamikonean, brother of Armenia's general, Vahan, for his face was illuminated with the glory of God. [263] Many of [Vasak's] comrades the comrades-in-arms of the blessed man, were unable to restrain themselves when they saw his radiant face which was illuminated like the face of the great prophet Moses. Even his own brother, the great general of Armenia, Vahan, looked and was awestruck and realized, then and there that on that day [Vasak] would be taken from him and from this filthy life and be translated to the army of the joyous, whose soldiers had that same appearance and form.

The Armenians and Iranians attacked each other. Vahan, the general of Armenia, together with the two Kamsarakan brothers attacked the enemy opposite them and dispersed them causing them to flee, making many of the Iranian troops cross over to the other side of the Kura river, and bravely killing many prominent Iranian warriors. The brave Mamikonean sepuh, Vasak, forcefully hit a certain soldier of the Iranian brigade with his spear and sent him crashing to the ground. And, unexpectedly, his spear shattered. The brave Vasak Mamikonean looked for and found another spear, and quickly and happily turned back. He encountered Nerseh Kamsarakan, the lord of Shirak, who also had broken his spear and was searching for another. [264] The brave Vasak Mamikonean cried out: "Hurry and find a spear, Nerseh, and come back quickly.

For we shall never find such a wonderful opportunity for transforming death into immortality, the present into eternity, or the [g134] corruptible into incorruptible life. Hurry, or we will not attain immortality. Perhaps, having missed the opportunity for a renowned and glorious death, we will later quit this life through a nameless and useless death". Many times Nerseh Kamsarakan himself , the lord of Shirak, related these words of the blessed Vasak Mamikonean to us, with a reliable oath.

While Armenia's general, Vahan Mamikonean, his venerable brother Vasak and the two sons of Arshawir Kamsarakan were competing thusly, suddenly the entire brigades of Armenians and Iberians quickly fled. Many of the traitors cried out to each other in agitation: "The Armenians are fleeing, escape"! And because the equitable divine right hand of the Omniscient did not favor them then with martyrdom in accordance with their diligent and eager request, in accordance with His secret and inscrutable providence, the brave general of Armenia, Vahan Mamikonean and the other oath-keeping [265] comrades who were with him (who fervently desired the cup of martyrdom, but were found unworthy) turned their horses around and went after the fleeing Armenians. Armenia's general, Vahan Mamikonean, encountered Babgen Siwni who had fallen, gravely wounded by the Iranian troops. Putting him on his own steed, [Vahan] removed him from the battle and saved him. But there were those who wanted to be chosen [for martyrdom] and who were found worthy, along with the blessed aspet Sahak and the blessed brave Vasak Mamikonean, and died that day. Their names are as follows..[The editors note (p. 135 n. 23) that not only are the names of the fallen missing, but also accounts of the deaths of aspet Sahak and Vasak Mamikonean himself are absent.]

As for the entire Armenian forces as well as the useless Iberian troops together with their king Vaxt'ang, they were dispersed and scattered. The Iranian brigades pursued them and killed many of them, though many others escaped to various places and saved themselves.

But Hrahat Kamsarakan, after violently racing his horse fell to the ground, and the Iranians reached him while he was on foot, seized him, and took him to Mihran. When Mihran saw him, he was greatly delighted. He threatened him with severe words and then had him bound and kept carefully. Wherever [266] [Mihran] went in the land of Armenia, he took [Hrahat] along with him. [The Iranians] also seized a Siwni sepuh named Yazd, and some others from the land of Iberia.

75. Now Vahan Mamikonean, the general of Armenia, temporarily went to a more secure place in [the district of] Tayk', where the dregs of the Armenian fugitives and other the senior naxarars of Armenia gathered around him. The two Kamsarakans were always with him,inseparable, and [g135] united. Mihran came after them with a brigade and tried to either kill them in battle or to take them by strategem, or to subdue and subject them.

There was an enormous camp of Aryan troops at the village named Du, at the border of Iran and Byzantium. Vahan Mamikonean was about two hrasax distant from it at a village named Mkarhinch' with 100 men, more or lessreat was placed as our guardian, and, that same hour, one by one he lifted us up and took us about one Iranian hrasax away. He still did not know who we were or from what district. But in accordance with his virtue, he [279] treated us as men wounded for the sake of God, and he wanted to save us or, in the event that we died, to gather our bones for the sake of his own soul. This man, after removing us from the [battle]site to a secure place, became confident. He then went to his monastery, brought us a small amount of food and water, brought yet another cleric with him offered us the food and bade us eat. After eating the food as we could from the saint's hands, we were revived a bit. [g141] When he saw that we had been revived somewhat and opened our eyes, he gradually began to interrogate us as to where we had come from, and from what district, since, he said, our manner and demeanor were such that he was led to believe we were azats. When we saw the man's virtue, we accurately informed him about ourselves. When he heard this, he glorified God. Leaving the cleric with us, he left us and went to his monastery. The next evening he returned with pack animal(s) and yet another cleric, they placed the three of us on the animal(s) and took us to the retreat where they dwelled. They concealed us there with them for many days, and with the power of God we were healed and made well. As is the custom of the adversary satan, [news of our escape] was breathed into the ears of some God-hating men. They started to hunt for us tirelessly and wanted to kill us, to achieve glory and honors from the Iranians. [280] Now the blessed monk secretly took us about, to many deserted places and many rugged caves. But [the priest] was afraid to send to you from there, thinking that if someone pursued and examined [the messenger] we would be discovered and killed. But now, hurry and send here a strong brigade with a dependable military commander and bring us to you, so that when we reach there together we shall avenge the truth of our faith'".

When they heard these satanic words from the stupid men, they immediately believed them and said: "Now we must move even more quickly, for when they safely come to Armenia and the Iranians find out that they are indeed alive, their entire power will disintegrate and abandon them". This was even more so when word reached the women that their men were alive (since that night the diabolical men spoke to the men and women with proof and were believed). For the women (in accordance with the fickle and infirm nature of women) did not cease urging their dear ones, relatives, dayeaks and servants day and night, to quickly go [to Iberia] and to immediately bring them back.

When the brilliant and perceptive general of Armenia, Vahan Mamikonean, heard all of the words of the diabolical men from Iberia, the wishes and consent of many Armenians, the [281] ceaseless, impatient urgings of the wives--which resembled a fire blazing in their minds which none had the strength to put out, [Vahan] said: "Those are the words and plans of men of poor judgement with feeble minds. For, as the Iranian [g142] corps knows of the arrival of spring in the country of Armenia, they have plotted to pull apart and render asunder the assemblage of Armenian troops at the ostan, and to disperse them here and there. For even if the brigade from Iran is very small, nonetheless they will arrest and destroy them. And so that my words do not seem contradictory to some, I [state that] I will not permit [these] world-destroying men to leave the land of Armenia in health. Because on the day of my venerable brother's martyrdom, I [for]saw the martyrdom and I saw him receive his crown before he received it. And before the end I was shown the color and aspect of that army and force, which was prescribed to die. Because long before we had attacked and reached each other, [Vasak's] face was illuminated by a light the like of which I cannot describe. Astonished at the appearance of his face, I wanted to [282] look at him again, but was unable because the increasingly bright light from his face struck me with awe. It appears that others saw the same vision of his miraculous color then. I realized right away that he would be taken from me and mingle with other hosts, whose troops had that same aspect and radiance. And I tell you, do not seek [Vasak] and do not labor [looking ] for the aspet. You are like the sons of the prophets who were occupied with idle affairs, and who, confounded, sought Elisha. But they did not heed his protest about not working and returned, full of shame. For you too will return ashamed and regretting it. But, so that I do not appear [overly]jealous to anyone, the men are before you, troops and naxarars of Armenia. I will not prevent anyone who wants to go. Only know and remember how much damage your departure will bring to the land of Armenia".

But imprudent and light-minded men, and especially the martyrs' wives, families, and dayeaks then convinced the sepuh of the Mamikoneans, Musegh, and they dispatched [him] with a brigade of many select men to go with those false and fraudulent men on a road they did not know for futile matters. Those who led them to the borders of Iberia after Satan, were in fact Satan's satellites and they invented many pretexts, telling [the Mushegheans]: "Those who have escaped their killers are in hiding, moving about hither and thither in deep caves [283] and the densely forested peaks of tall mountains". Thus for many days they goaded the sepuh of the Mamikoneans, Mushegh, and the brigade with him to insanity, leading them around until the end of the bitterly cold winds of winter's frost.

78. When it was the blooming time of spring and the breezes brought welcome warmth to the naked paupers, suddenly [g143] Zarmihr Hazarawuxt with a multitudinous, enormous force of select men, reached the country of Armenia. Urgently crossing over the bridge on the Arax river, he encamped that day in the town called Artashat. For he had been well informed by the oath-breakers about the departure of half of the Armenian brigade to Iberia, and that Vahan Mamikonean, the sparapet of Armenia, was at the ostan with but few naxarars and only a few select cavalrymen: "When you go against them with such a select multitude, even though they are prepared to die, they will be unable to arrest such a mass of cavalry. No, you will outnumber them by three or four times,and can put them all to the sword. Then you will complete the assignment and will be enveloped in the king's glory and we shall rest from this very protracted affair". When Hazarawuxt and the other awag's with him heard these words, they were more [284] delighted, and the next morning they speedily went against Armenia's general Vahan Mamikonean and the troops with him at the time. Having approached the city of Duin, Hazarawuxt organized the front(s) in war formation, and arrayed them in the midst of the forest called Xosrovakert, then he passed against the dastakert as far as the side of the mountain called Jrvezh.

When Armenia's sparapet, Vahan Mamikonean, and the other Armenian naxarars with him and the rhamik cavalrymen of Armenia saw such a multitude of Iranian troops which filled the entire plain with the Iranian brigade billowing like an ocean--even though they knew that they could not resist them--nonetheless though astonished, they did not turn in flight. Rather, in accordance with the competency of their force, the naxarars divided into groups of two or one and attacked. Valiantly taking a part of the Iranian brigade, they sent many select men hurtling dead to the ground, got hold of their swift horses, and bravely departed. For the brave departure of the powerful man foretold great dread in the brigade regarding its future hostile operations. What had happened was made known to many and they sampled the taste of this, and were amazed, more so than others. This was very well known by the boastful prince of Siwnik', Gdihon.

[285] But as for those men who enthusiastically and willingly chose to remain there and were martyred, [among them were] two of the Armenian naxarars who fought well and displayed bravery: the venerable Ordi from the Dimak'sean tohm and the venerable K'ajaj from the Saharhunik' tohm gave their lives for the blessed covenant and were crowned. The Iranian troops wickedly stabbed and routed [the Vahaneans), The blessed patriarch of Armenia, lord Yohan, having been thrown from his [g144] horse was left there half-dead. For the provoker of impiety, Hazarawuxt, had come against the Armenians so rapidly that not even the kat'oghikos Yohan himself had a day to quit the city. However the allmighty compassion of the Savior Christ pitied and spared his oath-loving flock and took the holy father healthy and peacefully displayed him to his people and made them happy.

The same day, after the fighting was over, Mushegh, the sepuh of the Mamikoneans, and the cavalrymen with him arrived. Because they had not arrived in time to be of aid in the battle they turned and fled with the other fugitives.

[286] 79. Thus were the forces of Armenia scattered, each one going here or there. Armenia's general, Vahan Mamikonean, and the naxarars of Armenia who were with him ,together with each [person's] dayeaks and beloved servants tried to go to a secure place on the borders of Xaghteac', to stay awhile and rest and recuperate a little, to remain hoping for and awaiting the Lord's salvation. The restless Hazarawuxt speedily went after them to fight, talking along all the forces. As he went he took many of the fortified places of Armenia, demolishing and ruining them, and moving on. He killed many people and caused torrents of blood to flow. Seeking strategems, he boasted very greatly that he would either arrest the brave Vahan Mamikonean or kill him in battle. Then he would rest.

[Hazarawuxt] went to Ok'agh and camped close to the village called [by two names], one [of which] was Giwghik, and the other, Vardashen. He encamped there that day, and on the next day he heard that Vahan Mamikonean was close to him at Varayr Varoy, Horhom tun, in the district called Shaghagom. Informed about the place through guides and thinking that the brilliant Mamikonean was there unconcerned, he reached the place at daybreak and fell upon Horhom tun unexpectedly. He encountered there a multitude of different people, including the wives of the two [287] Kamsarakans, of Nerseh lord of Shirak, and of Hrahat (whom the Iranians fell upon unawares); and they killed many of the rhamik people of Armenia. They seized and took the wives of the two Kamsarakan brothers, Nerseh and Hrahat, and took them to the Iranian camp.

However [Hazarawuxt], not encountering Armenia's general, Vahan Mamikonean, and some of the other naxarars who were with him turned back unhappily because he had not fulfilled what he was seeking to achieve, missing the mark. When [Hazarawuxt] had confirmed that the women were indeed their wives, he was inwardly delighted. For he reasoned that by means of them he [g145] certainly could hunt and capture Vahan. "For they are [Vahan's] heart and trusty, committed allies. Should I be able to pry them from him, if he remains alone, without them, either [Vahan] will be subdued and will obey us (as we wish), or, he (and he alone) will flee to a foreign country, and be lost". As for the wives of the two Kamsarakans, [Hazarawuxt] ordered that they be kept in sanctity and with every caution, in accordance with the faith/laws of the Christians which he had certainly heard about. Then he himself went to Ok'agh, descended to the district of Basean, and encamped close to the village named Du, in the plain of the fountains, called Arcat'aghbersn. Remaining there for one day, an emissary reached [Hazarawuxt] from court, bearing a hrovartak which king Peroz [288] had written to inform him that [Peroz] and the entire Aryan force had gone against the Hepthalites. [Peroz] ordered [Hazarawuxt] to go to Iberia and either to seize and kill the Iberian king, Vaxt'ang, or to chase him from the land; and to leave Shapuh of the Mihran tohm with a brigade there in the land of Armenia, as marzpan.

80. When Hazarawuxt received the hrovartak and heard the king's command, he left [in Armenia] Shapuh with the Iranian cavalry, a brigade of choice men, as well as Gdihon, the lord of Siwnik', with a brigade drawn from the entire district of Siwnik' and quickly went to Iberia. There Hazarawuxt assembled the class of oath-breakers who, having betrayed king Vaxt'ang and broken the oath srworn on the Gospel, went to him. He also assembled others who were united with the king of kings. He promised the kingdom to one, and to another gah and patiw and much pargew, and to many others whatever they needed. Thus he formed a brigade from the many who allied with him in the land of Iberia. When king Vaxt'ang saw that his own people had deceived and left him for Hazarawuxt, and that the Armenians themselves were unable to accomplish anything, and in danger, he quit the land of Iberia and temporarily went to the land of Egeria.

[289] Shapuh took the Kamsarakan women to the secure fortress of Basen called Boghberd, and left them there. Entrusting the Kamsarakan women to the fortress-keeper Vazat-Vshnasp, [Shapuh] ordered him to keep them very carefully and in sanctity in accordance with their Christian faith. The Kamsarakan women themselves had boldly complained to them many times that: "If indeed you want to subdue our men let them know that we are at peace and they will hear and obey anything you tell them. For all the Armenians will know about and testify that you are holding Armenians, for they know no other women than us. But should they hear anything else about us--insults, shamefull things, not to mention sinful or loathesome matters-in accordance with our faith they will be even more resolved to die, and will be lost". Shapuh himself knew--and not just second hand--about their determination regarding Christianity and also, as a learned individual he was informed about all of their activities, Christian determination and many other things, through training and thought. As for keeping the women pure, Shapuh repeated this to the fortress-keeper many times, and he ordered that the Kamsarakans hear about this often. He sent [290] to them frequently, saying: "Do not destroy yourselves; do not quit the king of king's service. Rather, come and submit, take your women and through my intercession, I will get the king of kings to pardon the damage you have done. I will bestow upon you what is fitting. The Christianity which you love and have firmly held until now you may hold even more [firmly] from now on, without fear. Because I love you as a son I am advising you in such a way that you will remain alive. Then, should you wish to display some good deed to the king of kings, and [be able to] devise Vahan's death, the king will give you gifts and honors which none of your ancestors has received from kings. And you and your descendants will enjoy this delightedly in peace, for eternity".

When the two Kamsarakans heard such a message from Shapuh the Iranian military commander, although they gave various replies and fooled Shapuh for many days, nonetheless they remained firmly convinced in the faith, despite Shapuh's message. Nerseh, lord of Shirak, and Hrahat wrote the following reply: "Our labor and work is not for any mundane pleasures, or for wife and child which to you seem significant and important, but such is the mystery of our great and revered faith. Next to [291] the love for such an awesome mystery, all the pleasures of life--land, wives, goods and greatness--seem small and inconsequential. For if we could not see clearly that heaven and earth and everything in them do not equal the honor which we long for, then we would be too stupid to trick you and the other parasites around you, taking an epah of ashes and giving it to one of our maid-servants to pollute as she would. For a moment we might enjoy the futile glory [received] from you and appear lustrous, but then we would be eternally and wickedly lost. But as for our women, we will give you a sign; test and examine it well. For if we bear these sorrows for the faith which we love and firmly hold to, and for the coveted hope of [heavenly] glory and if our works seem pleasing and acceptable to the just God, He will save us from oppression, will preserve our women in all sanctity, and give them to us. Otherwise we will blame our lack of faith, but not your violence and force". [g147]

Thus, having sent such a message to Hazarawuxt, the two Kamsarakan brothers were even more ready and eager than before to serve Armenia's general, Vahan Mamikonean, to do anything he ordered. They also encouraged others to do this.



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