For it seems certain that the return of Sapor across the Euphrates was not effected without considerable loss and difficulty.
It appears that Sapor took offence at the tone of the communication, which was not sufficiently humble to please him.
Sapor was, we must suppose, now engaged before Virta, and it is probable that he thought Bezabde strong enough to defend itself.
Sapor had formed the resolution to renew the contest terminated so unfavorably forty years earlier by his grandfather.
The vast empire with which Sapor had almost made up his mind to contend was partitioned out into three moderate-sized kingdoms.
Sapor tried at first the ordinary methods of attack; he battered the walls with his rams, and sapped them with mines.
Mani, who had fled from Sapor, ventured to return to Persia on the accession of his son, and was received with respect and favor.
Sapor, after a while, became convinced of the folly of his proceedings, and resolved on the adoption of a wholly new policy.
He accordingly quitted Armenia and made his way to the court of Sapor, where he was immediately seized and blinded.
It happened unfortunately that the main tent-pole struck him, as it fell, in a vital part, and Sapor died from the blow.
