Page:The History of Armenia - Avdall - Volume 1.djvu/55

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FOUNDATION OT ARMENIA. Page 10

a code of laws for the regulation of his infant monarchy, he died in peace in his own country; having, according to Gregorius Magistratus, and Johannes Catholicus, attained a very advanced age. We have no precise account of the number of years he lived, but it is probable, according to the general duration of man's life at that period, stated in Jewish re- cords to be from 4 to 500 years, that he reached the latter age. We have authentic accounts that he survived 80 years after the defeat and death of Belus. Haicus was succeeded in his authority by his son Armenac.[1]

The Haics or Armenians were also known by the appellations of Torgomeans, Ascanazians and Japhethians. The first of these is derived from Torgomah, the father of Haicus ; the second from Ascanaz his uncle; and the third from Japheth his great grandfather. The country which they inhabited was called Haic, i.e. the abode of the Haics. Haicus had seven brothers; Carthlus, Bard, Movcan, Leca, Herar, Covcas, and Egres. Carthlus settled in the vicinity of Mount Ormuz, where he built a fortress, calling it Orbeth, from the name of his youngest son. This fortress was afterwards known by the name of Shamsholdey. The Chians subsequently inhabited this

  1. See Hist B. 1, c. 3, and notes 1 to 5.