gathered about Perozes
at the court which he was allowed to maintain in Taleqan, one of
the Ephthalite cities. Supported by this body of refugees, and by an
Ephthalite contingent, Perozes ventured to advance against his brother.
His army, which was commanded by a certain Raham, or Ram, a noble of the
Mihran family, attacked the forces of Hormisdas, defeated them, and
made Hormisdas himself a prisoner. The troops of the defeated monarch,
convinced by the logic of success, deserted their late leader's cause,
and went over in a body to the conqueror. Perozes, after somewhat more
than two years of exile, was acknowledged as king by the whole Persian
people, and, quitting Taleqan, established himself at Ctesiphon, or
Al Modain, which had now become the main seat of government. It is
uncertain what became of Hormisdas. According to the Armenian writers,
Raham, after defeating him, caused him to be put to death; but the
native historian, Mirkhond, declares that, on the contrary, Perozes
forgave him for having disputed the succession, and amiably spared his
life.

The civil war between the two brothers, short as it was, had lasted long
enough to cost Persia a province. Vatche, king of Aghouank (Albania)
took advantage of the time of disturbance to throw off his allegiance,
and succeeded in making himself independent. It was the first object
of Perozes, after establishing himself upon the throne, to recover this
valuable territory. He therefore made war upon Vatche, thought that
prince was the son of his sister, and with the help of his Ephthalite
allies, and of a body of Alans whom he took into his service, defeated
the rebellious Albanians and completely subjugated the revolted country.

A time of prosperity now ensued. Perozes ruled with moderation and
justice. He dismissed his Ephthalite allies with presents that amply
contented them, and lived for five years in great peace and honor. But
in the seventh year, from the death of his father, the prosperity of
Persia was suddenly and grievously interrupted by a terrible drought,
a calamity whereto Asia has in all ages been subject, and which often
produces the most frightful consequences. The crops fail; the earth
becomes parched and burnt up; smiling districts are change into
wildernesses; fountains and brooks cease to flow; then the wells have no
water; finally even the great rivers are reduced to threads, and contain
only the scantiest supply of the life-giving fluid in the