robably after he had become monarch of Persia,
contains his full-length portrait, and exhibits him as trampling under
foot a prostrate figure, supposed to represent a Roman, by which it
would appear that he claimed to have gained victories or advantages
over Rome. [PLATE XIX. Figs. 3 and 4.] It is not altogether easy to
understand how this could have been. Not only do the Roman writers
mention no war between the Romans and Persians at this time, but they
expressly declare that the East remained in profound repose during
the entire reign of Varahran, and that Rome and Persia continued to
be friends. The difficulty may, however, be perhaps explained by a
consideration of the condition of affairs in Armenia at this time; for
in Armenia Rome and Persia had still conflicting interests, and, without
having recourse to arms, triumphs might be obtained in this quarter by
the one over the other.

On the division of Armenia between Arsaces and Chosroes, a really good
understanding had been established, which had lasted for about six
years. Arsaces had died two years after he became a Roman feudatory;
and, at his death, Rome had absorbed his territories into her empire,
and placed the new province under the government of a count. No
objection to the arrangement had been made by Persia, and the whole of
Armenia had remained for four years tranquil and without disturbance.
But, about A.D. 390, Chosroes became dissatisfied with his position, and
entered into relations with Rome which greatly displeased the Armenian
monarch. Chosroes obtained from Theodosius his own appointment to the
Armenian countship, and thus succeeded in uniting both Roman and Persian
Armenia under his government. Elated with this success, he proceeded
further to venture on administrative acts which trenched, according
to Persian views, on the rights of the lord paramount. Finally, when
Varahran addressed to him a remonstrance, he replied in insulting terms,
and, renouncing his authority, placed the whole Armenian kingdom under
the suzerainty and protection of Rome. War between the two great powers
must now have seemed imminent, and could indeed only have been avoided
by great moderation and self-restraint on the one side or the other.
Under these circumstances it was Rome that drew back. Theodosius
declined to receive the submission which Chosroes tendered, and refused
to lift a finger in his defence. The unfortunate prince was forced to
give himself up to Varah