A sanguinary conflict had followed.

A large portion of the Armenians, firmly attached to the old national idolatry, had resisted determinedly.

Nobles, priests, and people had fought desperately in defence of their temples, images, and altars; and, though the persistent will of the king overbore all opposition, yet the result was the formation of a discontented faction, which rose up from time to time against its rulers, and was constantly tempted to ally itself with any foreign power from which it could hope the re-establishment of the old religion.

Armenia had also, after the death of Tiridates (in A.D.

314), fallen under the government of weak princes.