| Varazdat King of Armenia
(384-386), nephew of King Papes. Historians describe him as a handsome
and athletic young man. According to tradition, he took part in one
of the last Olympic Games (before Theodosius the Great abolished them
in 394), and won the fisticuffs contest. As a ruler, Varazdat is given
less flattering description. He wished to marry the Persian princess,
which incurred displeasure of the Roman Emperor and ruptured the Roman
support of Armenia. Also, Varazdat perfidiously assassinated Mushegh
Mamikonean, Sparabet and renowned hero, which caused indignation and
rebellion of the grandees. Varazdat was then defeated in a battle by
Manvel, Mushegh's brother, and was forced to flee the country. Later,
Theodosius the Great captured him to exile to an island. www.ArmenianHistory.info |