"To the brave and mighty giant Vahan, greetings by the help of the gods [k'aj ew hzor bazkid Vahanay skayi, dic'n ognakanut'eamb oghjoyn].

"Although we were saddened by the death of our brother's so yet we were amazed by the strength of your wisdom. Now I have come here to [make] friendship and peace, so come to me and vow to pay the royal tax [zhark ark'uni] and be obedient and retain your previous honor and no longer enter into treachery. Remain well by the aid of the gods'' [0'ghj ler i dic'n ajoy].

[Vahan] sent the following reply to him:

"You wicked and weak being, Vaxtang, swine of your class, eater garbage, greetings.

"While I rejoiced over the death of Mihran, I wept over your foolishness. Having heard of his death and acquainting yourself with my God-given strength, how could you dare come against the Church of God? If you have come seeking friendship, why have you brought along your wife? Could it be you want a son from us? [? mi t'e ordi xndres yeranac' meroc'] And why did you [re]build my city and make fortresses? No, I know that you are false and bite like a dog. Value life more than death and leave the country peacefully. Otherwise, the death you will suffer shall be witnessed by the entire land".

Then [Vaxtang] grew angry and sent 6,000 men against him, to Mush. However, some people informed him, saying: "Rhahan is coming against you with 6,000 [troops]". So [Vahan] went by night against [g32] the enemy encamped at Ccmak, and fell upon them with the sword. They were unable to restrain the horses, for [Vahan's] son, Smbat, had [32] got among them and cut loose 4,000 horses. He had them cross to the other side of the Aracani [river] and led them to the Hashteank' area. They gave 200 horses of the first victory as spoils-share to the church at Glak monastery, for that was their patrimonial home [zi ayn er tun noc'a hayrenakan], and he had been baptized there. Now Vahan got [the Iranians] into the swamps, and cut down many of them, wounded many, and drowned 200 men in that swamp.

The prince of Hashteank' had under his control 3,600 men,

the prlnce of Palu had 2,200,

the prlnce of Arjuc' had 3,000,

the prlnce of Elnut/Olnut had 5,000,

prince Vahan had 8,000,

and his son Smbat, 6,000,

in all, 28,000 men.

This entire body was under Vahan's direction. However, he had divided it and left lieutenants [koghmnapahs] everywhere. This gave him 3,000 men that day. The prince of Hashteank' caused a great slaughter [bazum naxchirs gorceac'] there since he hastened to behead Rhahan and put the troops to flight. He [33] harassed them until they entreated him [to stop] and promised to pay them taxes. But Vahan said: "Give us Rhahan's head and we shall let you go ". And the [Iranian] soldiers in much anxiety sought for the head, but could not find it. But they seized [Rhahan's] son Vah and turned him over to Vahan. Now the prinoe of Hashteank' came forward and said: "Either give us Rhahan's head or give us 30,000 dahekans". And they gave the 30,000 dahekans and turned to go. When Vahan saw that they all were departing, he became filled with the zeal for God, attacked and started to destroy them. [The Iranians] raised a cry, saying: "Oh liar, why do you turn to battle"? And that place was named Arhinch' (Why). [The Armenians] drove them into the plain and caused a great slaughter. Less than 500 men fled [g33] and went to Vaxtang and told him what had happened. [Vaxtang] became furious and ordered those who came to him beheaded. Of those 6,000 men not a man remained alive. Not a single one.

Now Vaxtang, moved to a rage because of Rhahan, sent Asur [against Vahan] at the head of 8,000 soldiers. This army came and encamped on the shores of the Meghti [river] and sent the following message to Vahan: "Hey you vile wolf, Vahan. Knowing that you serve the Aryan king, why have you become so shamelessly brazen? Now come to us and be a tax payer. Otherwise you will die like a dog". When [Vahan] heard this, he and his son Smbat went agalnst them with 6,000 [34] men. As soon as [the two armies] were facing each other, Asur started to insult Vahan by calllng hlm a wolf. And [Vahan] replled: "Your epithet for me is accurate, because [like a wolf] I come, destroy, go, and come again". And they commenced battling each other.

Once they joined battle, Vahan's son, Smbat, kept his eye on Asur and approached him. Now when Asur saw that Smbat was a lad, he scorned him and said: "You stone-worshipping bastard [k'arapasht harchordi], get out of the way so I may move on to the fighting men". [Smbat] replied: "Son of Satan, your name fits you because your sword [sur] is as nothlng [a, "lacking"] and by fighting with a youth you shall acknowledge your defeat". Smbat took his sword and cut off Asur's horse's head. [Asur] fell to the ground and then [Smbat] attacked him and cut off his head. He raised the head aloft and said: "Glory to You, Christ, and to St. Karapet who vanquished my adversary". Now while he was saying this, 10 men surrounded Vahan and struck at him mercilessly like men felllng a forest. Vahan started to grow weak. Raising his voice he cried: "My son, Smbat, where are you? [g34] Come and help me, old man that I am". For [Vahan] was 88 years old. [Smbat] valiantly attacked them like a swiftly flying eagle, saying: [35] "Help us St. Karapet". And with that he cut off Asur's son's head severing it, together with the right shoulder, and it fell off. Then Vahan became stronger and cut off the heads of 6 horses. The Lord gave the Iranian army over [to the Armenians] and they chased them until evening. Of the 8,000 soldlers, only 3,000 went back to Vaxtang. [Vaxtang] remained quiet until the next year. That same year k'aj Vahan, avenger of the Church, died. He had [his remains] taken to Glak monastery where he is buried in front of the threshold at the door of [the church of] St. Karapet.

Now the next year Vaxtang assembled a force of 20,000 and sent to Smbat [this message]: "Either come so that we may fight, or else be obedient and pay taxes". [Smbat] gathered together 10,000 men and went against [Vaxtang] at Andak. He left 5,000 men on the hill called Mahu agarak (Death field) and himself went with 5,000 against [Vaxtang] to provoke him. Vaxtang sent 10,000 men against [Smbat], thinking that he was alone. The troops came and surrounded him at night. [Smbat] wanted to arise against them by night, but his court priests prevented him. Now he said: "I trust in God that since we have faithfully served St. Karapet he will not abandon us". And he went against the Iranian troops with torches. Suddenly they saw a man with long hair which radiated light, which blinded the enemies' eyes. When k'aj Smbat saw this he said to the troops: "Take heart, my sons, [36] and fear not, for St. Karapet has come to our aid and is fighting along with us". Let no one think the matter unbelievable, for [the Iranians] began to fight one another and to kill each other, [g35] for the Lord was fighting against them. And they so destroyed them that torrents of blood flowed. That place was called T'il.

When such a multitude had been killed, 200 men were left alive as news-bearers to inform others about the man they had seen during the night, for the enemy also had seen him. [Smbat] himself led their horses to Mush awan, to his son (who was called after his grandfather Vahan Kamsarakan) so that the city's infantry would become cavalry and be sent quickly. [Vahan] assembled 2,500 cavalry and sent them to prince Smbat. Now [Smbat] evaded [the Iranians] for 8 days, and prepared his force. After 8 days Vaxtang reached that plain. The next day they readied for war. Now during the night Smbat detached 2,000 cavalry and took them to a hiding place behind the Iranians, and on this side of the hill [he deployed] 3,000. Thus on both sides he had arranged for secret battle. He then divided 8,000 men into 6 groups [i vec' rhazm], and in the morning they organized. So that [the Iranians] not learn about the secret traps, he hastily turned to them and provoked them, to move against him [zi mi gaght darans gitasc'en, p'ut'apes i dimi hareal sharzheac' i veray iwr.].

[37] Once they joined battle, at first [the Iranians] were vanquishing Smbat. Now [Smbat] went onto the hill and said: "Where are you, braves? Come forward". And the braves attacked from all sides and trapped the Iranian army in their midst. They fought until it was impossible to recognize each other except by the sounds of trumpets [g36] and the sight of banners [bayc' miayn i jayn p'oghoc'n ew i tess droshac'n]. When Vaxtang and Smbat faced each other Vaxtang said: "Stop, bastard. Though you have killed many before, today you will not slip out of the hands of brave men. Our swords will tear you apart". Smbat, moving into action, struck and split Vaxtang's hip armor, fatally wounded him and brought him close to falling [to the ground]. Thrusting his lance, [Smbat] struck [Vaxtang's] breast. The lance stuck in, but Smbat was unable to jab it in deeper. He raised his voice and said: "St. Karapet, reveal yourself today to your servants, for we die for your sake, and for the faithful of Christ". Then he struck [Vaxtang's] shoulder with his lance and the weapon passed in through the armor and through his heart. Pulling out his sword, [Smbat] cut off [Vaxtang's] head, but was unable to keep it, because many men made off with the head.

Now a certain of [Vaxtang's] servants grabbed the head and fled. Smbat reached the fugitive and struck his head with a club, such that [38] the man's helmet split and the bone of his skull gave way before the club, so that [Smbat] could barely pull it out. But when he did, the head fell off and the the servant died. Then another servant took the head and ran. Smbat followed him and said: "Iranians, don't lose your senses. For Vaxtang has already fallen, [the man] who inspired his servants to take his head and flee. Now consider if you must do this'' [Parsikk' mi anmtanayk', zi minch' yays ankaw, or srtac'aw carhayk'd ek', zgluxd arheal p'axch'ik', apa gitasjik'` t'e jez aydpes part e linel]. The servant threw [Vaxtang's] head at Smbat's chest and said "Take it, roast it, and eat it. Alas that you did not kill him sooner". Smbat took the head and pursued the servant, saying: "Ay you traitrous [tirateac'] Iranian, why didn't you substitute your own head for that of your lord? Now since you betrayed your lord, I will take your head from you". And with his lance, [Smbat] struck him to the heart, and the lance came out the [g37] other side. The man fell from his horse, whereupon Smbat severed his head, and then returned to the hill in great triumph. The surrounding troops killed Iranians in the place until not a one of them remained except those who were encamped by the camels, 400 men whom he ordered spared since they fled [? zors och' hramayeac'` spananel, zi p'axstakank' ein] . But he took from them 1040 camels and 8000 horses and asses.

[39] As soon as the battle was ended, [Smbat] ordered them buried in the valleys and ravines. That hill was named Mahu [Death] Hill. Then Smbat took troops and went against Porp city by night. When the soldiers entered the homes, they killed whomever they encountered speaking Iranian [zors ew gtin parsiks lezuaw], cut off the noses, strung them up, and brought them to Smbat. When the noses were counted they found 4,900 Iranian men, women and children.

Now Vaxtang's son and wife were taken to Aycic' fortress (which was previously called Arcuik') to be kept there. [Smbat] sent to the Iranian king Xosrov and said: "Give me taxes for 12 years to cover the [cost of the] grass and bread of my country which your forces ate, the wood they burned, the price of the water they drank, the price of the tachars which my father Gayl Vahan burned because of your soldiers, and 60,000 dahekans for the price of the soap to wash your soldiers' robes (which smelled of death and were blood-drenched) before we could wear them. Otherwise, I shall come against you with 100 men and with all the Iranians captured, I shall take them to Taron and shall chain a dog to your gods so that they bark at you in place of them [? ew i k' o astuack'd shun xarhanem or p'oxanak doc'a hajen i jez]. Now be quick. Do whatever I have [40] said to do. Otherwise you will see what will befall you". When [g38] [Xosrov] heard this he mocked Smbat and he wrote no reply to him.

But Vaxtang's brother, Suren, took 100,000 dahekans and 9,000 men and came to Taron to buy the wife and son of Vaxtang. Smbat went before him and, receiving Vaxtang's brother Suren with affection, he sent him to Mush. After 10 days Suren asked after his brother's son, wanting to know where he was. Now they showed him the fortress and said: "Over there". And he asked: "Is he herding goats or dews there"? Smbat laughed at Suren's bon mot [And aycarac e t'e diwarac: Ew cicagheal Smbatay end aghi bansn Surenay.], and ordered [Vaxtang's] wife and son brought before hlm. As soon as they arrived, Suren sald: "Mighty prince [ruling] the land of Armenia, will you give them as gifts to the Iranian king" [tas...ark'ayin turs.]? The prince replied: "I wouldn't even give the Iranian king a dead dog for his dinner without his paying for it, let alone give these two [hostages]. But if you want to buy them, I most certainly will give them over; otherwise, the three of you will go to Arcrunlk' and herd goats, and do service at the fortress and ungratefully eat my bread".

Now because Suren was a wise man he said: "Oh pious and mighty prlnce, if you made us tend a dog at your gates [t'e ew zshun darapasid k'o aracel tayir] it would be an honor [41] for us just to be at your court, to say nothing of herding goats. But listen to us and take from us 100,000 dahekans, 2,000 camels and 6 Iranian horses, and give us this woman and youth". The prince said: "Whatever you brought here is ours, for I'll cut off your head and confiscate what you have [ew zor unis'` yis arhnum]. But if you need them, become a Chrlstlan and be baptized, and take me and go to the Iranians and these [hostages] with you. Otherwise think up something else". Now Suren brought 100,000 dahekans and led the camels and horses [g39] before him and said to the prince: "Here is your gift". But [Smbat] replied: "I approve of your gifts, but [Iranian troops] took 180,000 [dahekans worth of] wood from K'ark'e and they ate up 400,000 dahekans of grass from the plains and 60,000 dahekans for the hinds, stags, and rabbits of my country which they hunted and ate. I leave aside the price of water and of bread. But let them pay for the sweet wines of Syria, Salnay and Moxray which for these two years they have cut from me and have themselves consumed. And the tax which they took from 6 districts and for the city revenue which they ate, let them pay 300 dahekans [1 ms.: 400,000]. You become a Christian. Take me to the Iranians and take these [hostages] for yourself".

[42] Suren became gloomy and was unable to speak for 3 days. But then the prince sent to him, saying: "Don't be sad, for I shall do everything according to your will. But come, let us pass to the other side [of the river] and make a pilgrimage to my monastery which my father built". Taking Suren they crossed to the other side of the Aracani, taking the woman and son along. But because [Smbat] wanted to deceive the Iranian, the wife and son and Vahan Kamsarakan were left on the other side, such that should [Suren] cross over, he would be killed [Bayc' zi nengel kamer parskin, zkin ew zordin ew zVahan kamsarakan yaynkoys t''ogheal, zi or i na ankc'i` na spanc'e]. He left 4,000 of his troops at Meghti and [left] the Iranians at the village of the monastery which they called Artic' village [ew zParsic'n yandastan vanac'n` zor Artic' gewghn koch'en]. [Smbat] took 400 choice soldiers and [Suren] took 400 of his own, and the two set out for the monastery. When they reached the Hidden Cross, they dismounted and proceded to the monastery on foot, since it was impossible for anyone to ascend there on a horse. Similarly [the terrain] from the eastern foot of the valley upward to the churoh was so steep that no one would dare come up. For if St. Gregory [g40] and Trdat did not dare to come to that place on horse, whoever else would?

Now as soon as they approached the site of the monastery, the [43] clerics came forth and prevented them [from proceding] because of Suren. So Smbat grew angry and said: "If you Iranians are ao abominable that you are unworthy of lairs, how is it that you are worthy of life"? And Varaz, prince of Palunik' attacked Suren striking him with a sword and cutting off his head. They strangled two Iranian princes by hanging them from a tree, and then returned to the horses. The 300 troops of the prince of Palunik' were hidden on the hill in a small stronghold on Mecamor, below Andak. They rode the horses until they had descended to Mecamor. Those who were in ambush sprang out. They cut down 400 [Iranians] by trapping them between themselves. Then [the Armenians] descended to the other troops and departed. Now as for those who were in the fortress at Artic' village, at night they came out and fell on the Iranians. They cut loose more than 2,500 of their horses and led them to Sroc' valley. Now the Iranian troops had followed the thieves and reached them in the place called Goghoc' [Thieves'] Spring. The horse-thieves turned upon them and 520 men were hit with slings and bows. They took their horses and added them to the others, making 3,000 horses.

Some of the footsoldiers [hetewakealk'] from the Iranian force had entered the valley, gone into the forest, fell on the horse-thieves and began to cut them down. Now the senior (awag) among the horse-thieves [44] who was called Srem/Serem, turned against them, took out his sword and fought them alone, until his comrades returned. As soon as that happened, Srem died, for they had struck him in the heart with an arrow. [g41] They buried him in the same valley which was thereafter named Sremajor. With stones and arrows the comrades went against them and kllled many men, puttlng others to flight. Then they assembled in one place, encamped and ate.

Now some 250 men had gone out of Oghkan to hunt. As soon as they saw the Iranian army unconcernedly at its ease, they stealthily attacked, not allowing anyone to mount his horse. Rather, they surrounded them in the same spot. Five hundred and eight men were killed at that table, and since they were all gathered there, the place wae named Zhoghovs [Assembly].

While this was taking place, Smbat and the prince of Palunik' were hidden in some valley. They sent someone to Meghti, saying: "Hurry and come against them", while they themselves sent 100 men to provoke the Iranian troops. When the soldiers saw this, they attacked and [the two groups] reached eaoh other. When the troops came to Smbat they said "Get onto the hill, for it is a favorable site for a battle, and be careful until our troops arrive". They ascended the hill, but the Iranian forces increased against Smbat and Varaz. The latter two knelt before God and called upon the aid [45] of St. Karapet. "Remember", they said "our service, and as you helped us from afar, now do not abandon us at close range". And the aid of God came to them.

The trumpet sounded on the hill. With Smbat leading the right wing and Varaz the left, these two began to drench themselves and their horses in blood. Smbat's sword became stuck to his hand and he could not unstick it, since the blood was glued to the sword and to the hand and it broke off in his hand [ew och' kareac' hanel. k'anzi maceaw ariwnn end surn ew end jerhnateghin, ew kotorec'aw [1 ms. whlch we follow: ew och' karac' hanil` zi kotoreal er i brhann]. Once the Iranians saw that [g 42] [Smbat] was unsble to take another sword, they gave word to one another, saying: "Hurry up, for the k'aj's hand is stuck, his God has bound him, and the sword is broken in his hand". Many men surrounded [Smbat]. The weapons crashed over Smbat's head like dry wood splitting. Now he shouted ln a loud voice: "Vay, woe is your bravery for you cannot even cut off my head". He sald this so that the words would be remembered. But when he saw that they had greatly multiplied against him, he raised his voice and said: "Where are you, prince of Palunik' brave arm and strong mallet against the enemy, the cane of my old age? Come forward like a brave eagle, for vultures and horned owls have encircled me". [Varaz, prince of Palunik'] entrusted the left wing of the army to his son Vahan (who built Vahanovit) and

[46] he himself, valiantly, like an eagle, went [to Smbat's aid], causing all the horses to quake with fear. Coming to Smbat's aid, he struck an Iranian on the shoulder with his lance and the weapon passed through the horse's spine. He was unable to remove it. At this he mocked him, saying: "Go measure your lance and see how many cubits long it is. Let no one fool you and say falsely that it is 3 fathoms". And with that, he died [? Zor caghr arareal, aser. Ert' ch'ap'es ztegd` t'e k'ani kangun e. mi ok' sut ase t'e erek' girk e ew xabe zk'ez. Ew anden merhaw.].



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