re he was immediately seized and blinded. He was then fettered with
chains of silver, according to a common practice of the Persians with
prisoners of distinction, and was placed in strict confinement in a
place called "the Castle of Oblivion."

But the removal of their head did not at once produce the submission
of the people. A national party declared itself under, Pharandzem, the
wife, and Bab (or Para), the son of Arsaces, who threw themselves into
the strong fortress of Artogerassa (Ardakers), and there offered to
Sapor a determined resistance. Sapor committed the siege of this place
to two renegade Armenians, Cylaces and Artabannes, while at the same
time he proceeded to extend his influence beyond the limits of Armenia
into the neighboring country of Iberia, which was closely connected with
Armenia, and for the most part followed its fortunes.

Iberia was at this time under the government of a king bearing the
name of Sauromaces, who had received his investiture from Rome, and was
consequently likely to uphold Roman interests. Sapor invaded Iberia,
drove Sauromaces from his kingdom, and set up a new monarch in the
person of a certain Aspacures, on whose brow he placed the coveted
diadem. He then withdrew to his own country, leaving the complete
subjection of Armenia to be accomplished by his officers, Cylaces and
Artabannes, or, as the Armenian historians call them, Zig and Garen.

Cylaces and Artabannes commenced the siege of Artogerassa, and for a
time pressed it with vigor, while they strongly urged the garrison
to make their submission. But, having entered within the walls to
negotiate, they were won over by the opposite side, and joined in
planning a treacherous attack on the besieging force, which was
surprised at night and compelled to retire. Para took advantage of their
retreat to quit the town and throw himself on the protection of Valens,
the Roman emperor, who permitted him to reside in regal state at
Neocaesarea. Shortly afterwards, however, by the advice of Cylaces and
Artabannes, he returned into Armenia, and was accepted by the patriotic
party as their king, Rome secretly countenancing his proceedings. Under
these circumstances the Persian monarch once more took the field, and,
entering Armenia at the head of a large army, drove Para, with his
counsellors Cylaces and Artabannes, to the mountains, renewed the siege
of Artogerassa, and forced it to submit, captured the queen Pharandzem,
together w