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CHAPTERS IN THE HISTORY OF ARMENIA 255
But towards the Roman Empire and Persia his policy was
vacillating. At one time, when he seems to have had a
quarrel, possibly of an ecclesiastical nature, with the emperor
and the Greek Church, he entered into an alliance with the
Persians, and his armies, under the capable generalship of
Varsak Mamikonean, penetrated far into Asia Minor and
defeated the Roman army. Later, however, Arshak deserted
the Persian king Shapur and resumed friendly relations with
the emperor. But he had quarrelled with the powerful
Katholikos Nerses, and in consequence of this breach his
position at home had been weakened, and many of the nobles
were hostile to him. When, therefore, after the death of
Julian the Apostate in 363, the Romans had to make peace
with the Persians on humiliating terms, which included a
promise not to help Arshak, his position became very difficult.
However, he resisted Shapur’s attacks for some time, until
he fell into a trap laid for him, and, in spite of Shapur’s sworn
promise that his person would be respected, was put in silver
fetters and imprisoned in the " Castle of Oblivion." As for
his loyal companion, the brave Varsak Mamikonean, Shapur
had him flayed alive, after which his skin was stuffed with
straw and sent to the captive king in prison. Arshak’s queen,
the beautiful Pharanzem, of the noble family of the Siuni,
defended herself bravely in the fortress of Artagers for fourteen
months, after which she had to capitulate. Shapur allowed
her to be publicly violated in the sight of the anny until she
died of the atrocities to which she was subjected. Some
years later Arshak is said to have committed suicide in
prison.
The king and his much-feared general Varsak håving thus
been disposed of, terrible massacres took place in Armenia,
apparently under the personal direction of Shapur. Thousands
of Armenians of both sexes were driven together and
trampled underfoot by elephants. Vagharshapat and other
towns were sacked and razed to the ground, and great numbers,
including the Jewish colonies, were carried off into captivity.
Christians were persecuted, fire-altars set up, and it seems that
several of the chiefs, like Merushan Artsrunian of Van, were
fire-worshippers and well-disposed towards the Persians.
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