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  During the escalation of the Roman-Persian conflict brother of Arshak, Tiridates, was killed in Rome for terrorizing Armenia. By the help of the grandson of Husik Catholicos Nerses I Parthev (353-373) hostages Tirit and Gnel returned to their homeland. The Emperor released them for using against Arshak when necessary by giving the throne to one of them. Gnel married Parandzem, the daughter of Andovk Syuni. Being in love with Parandzem too, Tirit assured the King that Gnel wanted to become the Armenian King. Gnel was executed.  Learning that he was cheated by Tirit, Arshak executed him, too and married Parandzem himself. 

Arshak II was a strong personality and was determined to conduct his own policy. In order to strengthen the Royal power and to restrain the centrifugal intentions of Ministerial Houses he began the construction of the city Arshakavan in Kogovit province. All those who wished to settle in the city, even the offenders, were allowed to do so. This gave rise to the discontent of Ministers, as their recipients of a deposit and debtors as well as servants and peasants fled to Arshakavan. By taking the advantage of the opportunity that the King was in Georgia, the Ministers destructed Arshakavan. Some of the Ministers were punished by Arshak. 

The policy of Arshak II and Roman-Persian war. In 359 a war broke out between Rome and Persia. Persian Army besieged the city of Amid. Armenia’s position was very significant during this war.  Shapur asked Arshak for the support. The latter reached Mtsbin faster than the Persian Army and defeated the Roman Army. Arshak categorically rejected the offer to marry daughter of Shapur. Andovk Syuni learned that Shapur intended to kill Arshak and he immediately returned homeland. The short-term Armenian-Persian military alliance was violated. In order to head the military operations in the East Arshak II by the invitation of Constantine went to Mazhak city where they strengthened Armenian-Roman alliance by the marriage of Arshak and Olympia, fiancée of the Emperor’s dead brother. Parandzem could not accept the situation. Olympia was poisoned by one of her servants. 

By the defeat and death of Emperor Julian the Apostate near Ctesiphon (Tizbon) Roman-Persian war over. By the treaty concluded between the Persian King and the new Roman Emperor Jovian in 363 the latter should not support the King of Armenia.  According to Faustus of Byzantium the Emperor assured Sapur that: “…if you can beat them and oblige them to serve you, I will not defend them”. Roman historian Ammianus Marcellinus (IV century) called this treaty “shameful”. 

Armenian-Persian war. Arshak II was informed about the danger of invasion of Shapur II by the frontier guards’ commanders that were located in Gandzak (Shahastan) city on the southern border of Greater Armenia.   By Arshak’s order the troops of Vasak Sparapet (Arm: Սպարապետ, Eng: Commander-in-Chief) were appointed to resist the enemy and in 363 the Persian Army was defeated. 

The next year the Sassanid troops invaded Armenia from three directions. Arshak, Vasak and his brother defeated the enemy in several battles. At that time Meruzhan Artsruni  renounced Christianity and converted to  Mazdaism. Shapuh promised him the Armenian throne only if Armenia and its religion were under the Persian rule. 

Persian invasions caused much destruction to Armenia. Vasak Mamikonyan succeeded in driving the enemy out of the country.  Then the large army of Shapur reached Angegh fortress which was the treasure-house and burial place of the Armenian kings of the Arshakuni Dynasty but couldn’t conquer the fortress. Nevertheless, they succeeded in conquering Ani fortress in Daranaghi. They were not able to destroy only the tomb of King Sanatruk. The bones of other Armenian Kings were disinterred and captured: "We are taking the bones of the Armenian kings to our land so that the glory, fortune and bravery of the kings of this land will come to our land with the kings' bones". 60.000 Armenian troops headed by Vasak sparapet defeated the enemy. He retrieved the bones of Armenian kings and buried in the village called Aghdzq which is situated on the slope of Aragats mountain. 

 The Persian troops were again defeated by the Armenians. The long-lasting wars weakened both the Armenians and the Persians. The situation became more complicated when Vahan Mamikonyan turned a traitor like Meruzhan.   

The conspiratorial assassination of Arshak and Vasak. Making sure that it is impossible to suppress the Armenians by force, Shapur decided to arrest Arshak by deception. The Armenian King was invited to Trabzon for peace talks. Shapur sent him salt sealed with a signet-ring, which was considered to be the greatest oath. Finally, King Arshak accompanied by Vasak sparapet went to Persia in 368. According to the historian Faustus of Byzantium Shapur ordered to bring soil and water from Armenia for testing Arshak. The half of the Royal court hall was covered with the soil and the water was splattered on it. Taking Arshak by the hand Shapur was walking through the hall. Standing on the Persian soil Arshak was mild and still while on the Armenian soil he be became extremely insolent and said proudly: “Away from me, evil-doing servant who has become the master of your former masters.  I will not forgive you and your sons the vengeance of my ancestors”. Shapur ordered to arrest Arshak and imprison him in Anyush fortress. 

The next day Vasak Mamikonyan was brought to the Royal Court. Shapur mocked at Vasak by saying: “Hey, fox, it was you who obstructed things and so fatigued us. I will kill you with a fox's death." Vasak sparapet replied with dignity. “Now that you see me personally short, you don’t accurately understand my greatness as until now I was a lion to you, but now, I am a fox. While I was Vasak, I was a giant with one foot on one mountain and the other foot on another mountain. When I leaned on my right foot the right mountain was brought to the ground. When I leaned on my left foot, the left mountain was brought to the ground." King Shapur asked what those two mountains were. Vasak replied: “One of the two mountains was you and the other was the Byzantine emperor.” Furious Shapur ordered to kill Vasak. One of the brightest figures of Arshakuni dynasty Arshak II soon died in prison. 

 The Defence of Artagers. One of the great manifestations of the Armenian freedom-loving spirit was the long and heroic defense of Artagers fortress by Queen Parandzem and 11.000 selected armed warriors. The two Armenian Ishkhans (Arm: Իշխան, Eng: dukes) who penetrated into the fortress and intended to persuade the Queen to surrender, saw her firmness and decided to join the defenders. The Queen’s only hope was the return of her son Pap, whom she had sent to Valens Emperor to ask for his support. Shapur’s pressure was growing. Epidemy, hunger and regular fights exhausted the defenders of Artagers. The Persians invaded the fortress and killed those who were still alive. Queen Parandzem was severely tortured and killed.   

Meanwhile Meruzhan and Vahan made destructions in different places, built heathen temples and forced people to covert to the worship of the Mazdeans. Traitor Vahan was killed by his son Samuel Mamikonyan. 

   The reign of King Pap. Pap returned to Armenia with a detachment headed by the Roman commander Terentius.  Pap (370-374) was made the Armenian king by Emperor Valens during the war.  The son of  Vasak Mamikonyan, Mushegh became Sparapet and began the liberation of the Armenian land. 

According to Faustus of Byzantium Mushegh restored “…the former border between Armenian land and Georgian land, which was Kura river. He destroyed Zoroastrian temples that were built by Persians and traitors.  Those who were honored by the Persian Royal court were arrested and severely punished. Thus, he took vengeance for King Arshak and Vasak sparapet. King Pap became the owner of  Arshakunis’ treasures that were kept in Daruynq fortress of  Kogovit province.

The ruined settlements were rebuilt; churches reconstructed and state affairs were successfully managed. Mushegh continued to ensure the security of the country. 

Mushegh accompanied with 40.000 warriors went to the southern border of Armeniain 370. Shapur was also there with his troops, one of the detachments was headed by traitor Meruzhan. Mushegh was the first to attack in Atropatena. Shapur fled, many of  Persian seniors were arrested and sentenced to death by Mushegh’s order. The treasures and harem of the Persian king were transferred to Armenians. Mushegh ordered to release the women of the Persian king. Being very surprised at Mushegh’s generosity, Shapur ordered to engrave Mushegh’s picture riding the white horse on a goblet. While feasting with his troops, he took the cup and said: "May the white horseman drink wine." When the Armenian troops returned from the war, many of the Armenian soldiers accused the Mushegh before king Pap. He became furious learning that Mushegh released the harem of the Persian king showing an excessive generosity towards Shapur who severely killed his mother. 

The victorious battle of  Dzirav. Learning that Persian troops raided into Mijnashkharh (Midland), King Pap ordered to assemble the troops in Dzirav plain of Bagrevand province of Ayrarat state in 371. Roman detachments joined them.  The number of the Armenian armed forces was more than 90 thousands. 

General Terentius adviced King Pap and Catholicos Nerses to go up the mountain Npat. Mushegh went there too. Catholicos Nerses successfully interceded for Mushegh.  The Commander-in-Chief made an oath and got the blessing of Catholicos and then took the command of the army again. 

The battle of Dzirav began at dawn. Nerses prayed for the victory of the Armenian army on Npat mountain. Mushegh’s detachments successfully attacked the Persian armed forces. Sepuhs’ regiments headed by Smbat also struggled courageously. Spandarat Kamsarakan’s detachments defeated the enemy and put to rout. It was a perfect victory.  

Meruzhan was arrested by Smbat Bagratuni. He heat the iron skewer make it in the form of a crown and said.  “I crown you, Meruzhan, because you were trying to reign in Armenia and I am obliged to crown you the way my ancestors did”. And he put the heated skewer on Meruzhan’s head. Thus, Meruzhan was executed. 

     In 372 learning about the next invasion of Shapur Mushegh with Armenian army moved to Gandzak. The Armenian troops with exclamations “For brave Arshak” defeated the Persian forces. The peace of the country was restored. 

     Pap’s reformations and foreign policy. King Pap and Mushegh  sparapet began to strengthen the military security of the country. The number of the army was approximately 100 thousand.  The brothers, children and relatives of priests were to perform public services. At the same time the church landowning was limited. He also annulled the “order of crop and tithing , .i. e. the charge from the crop that was paid to the church. In the favor of the Royal court he retrieved most of the lands that were granted to the church by Tiridates III. The nunneries and widow shelters were closed, virgins and widows were allowed to marry. Thus, Pap stimulated the growth of population and number of the Armenian army. 

King Pap retrieved Shirak and Arsharunik provinces to Spandarat Kamsarakan as well as rewarded those ministers who fulfilled their duties faithfully. 

As a result of independent policy of Pap, Persian armed forces were driven out of Armenia. After the death of Nerses the Great the next Catholicos from Abghianos dynasty Husik Shahak didn’t go to Caesarea to be ordained. Thus, the initial independence of Armenian Patriarchal Chair was confirmed. 

Pap sent a delegation to Emperor Valens to represent the territorial claims of Armenia and according to Faustus of Byzantium he noticed that in ancient times “ten other cities of Caesarea (Mazhak of Cappadocia) belonged to us, Urha (Edesia) was built by our ancestors and if you don’t want any dissention between us return them. It proves the fact that these territories were once Armenian lands. At that time Vales was in Tarson town in Cilicia and organized a conspiracy in response. He invited King Pap, but learning about the conspiracy against him King Pap could avoid it with great difficulty and returned to Greater Armenia with his 300 mounted escorts. 

     By the order of Valens Roman commanders assassinated Pap during the feast in 374. Roman historian Ammianus Marcellinus wrote. “By such treachery was credulity basely deceived and at a banquet, which ought to be respected even on the Euxine Sea, before the eyes of the god of hospitality a stranger's blood was shed, which bespattered the spendid linen cloths with foaming gore, was more than enough to sate the guests, who scattered in utmost horror”.

     Thus, the Armenian young king was treacherously killed, but during his short reign he managed to do many deeds. He strengthened the army, drove the foreign invaders out of the country, carried out many reforms and became one of the most significant Kings during the Armenian history.  

 Danielyan E.