Armenia and its sorrows

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24 ARMENIA AND ITS SORROWS
Passing over the dim, uncertain centuries during
which the nation was more or less subject to the
Assyrians, having been completely conquered by
Semiramis, and regaining a certain degree of independence
under Sardanapalus, we arrive at the period
of Tigranes I., who was contemporary with Cyrus,
the Persian monarch. These kings are represented
by Xenophon as being on terms of intimate friendship.
It is interesting to note that the Armenian nation,
under the name of Ararat, is represented by Jeremiah
(li. 27) as uniting with the Modes to destroy Babylon
" Prepare the nations against her, call togetlier against
her the kingdoms of Ararat, Minni, and Aslikenaz."
Tigranes was succeeded by Vahakin, who was
celebrated for his personal strength, and was deified
after his death. The dynasty came to an end with
the next king, Vahi, who was defeated by Alexander
tlie Great, B.C. 328.
The nation once more regained its freedom, B.C. 317,
and raised Ardvates to the throne ; but when he died,
about thirty-three years later, the country fell into
the hands of the Syrians. The Armenians were
again in the hands of the Macedonians, when
Antiochus the Great was overthrown by the Romans,
about B.C. 190, and seized that opportunity for once
more asserting their independence.
Some thirty or forty years later, the famous
Parthian monarch, Mithridates I., placed his brother,
Valarsaces,on the Armenian throne, and thus originated
the great Arsacid dynasty, which lasted nearly six
luindrcd j^'cars. Tliis new ruler .signalised liis reign
by founding cities, establishing just laws, rewarding
virtuous citizens, and in every way promoting the
prosperity of the nation.
His most famous successor was liis groat-grandson,
Tigranes II., whoso name was a gloiy to his people,
as it was also a terror to liis foes. He extended liis