This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1897 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER IV FIRST INTRODUCTION OF THE GOSPEL Ouroj Strti ovpavlq1 Surd/M1 Hal ewfpyhf, iSfim ofd R1s Tja1'ou 0A17, Tv avlnraaav o1Kovptv1lv o aanrlp1os Karrlvyafc 6yos.--Eusebius, Eccl. Hist. ii. 3. At the time of our Lord's birth, Armenia was divided into two separate portions, called respectively Great and Little Armenia. The latter district extended from the Gordyaean Mountains to the Euphrates, and had as its capital the Greek city of Nisibis. Greek art and civilization had long exercised a great influence upon the whole of Syria and Mesopotamia; but the Roman and Greek writers seem to regard the kingdom of Osroene, as that of Armenia Minor was generally styled, as in large measure Syrian. As is well known, the Roman government claimed the suzerainty over Mesopotamia; and Arsham, who died King of Osroene in B. c. 3, and left his title to his son Abgar, was in reality little else than their deputy, holding his position, like Herod the Great in Palestine, only by the favour of his imperial master. Abgar, being devoted to the service of the heathen gods, refused to permit the image of Augustus to be erected in the temples of his dominions. Herod Antipas, learning this, laid a charge against him before the emperor, and accused him of disloyalty. Finding that all his efforts to clear himself were in vain, and offended at the treatment accorded at Rome to the ambassadors he had sent to plead his cause, Abgar determined to revolt from the Roman yoke, and to cast in his lot with the kindred family who then held the throne of Persia. With this object in view, he removed the seat of rule from Nisibis to Edessa, and began to strongly fortify the latter city. Moses of K/toren& tells us that the king carried with him to his new capital the...