... Cardus, surnamed Arah succeeded to the throne of Armenia at the death of his father, under the auspices of Semiramis.  This prince, on attaining maturity, married, and had one son named Anushavan, who, (through a superstitious idea that those trees were the favourite terrestrial residences of the gods) was solemnly dedicated to the poplars planted around Armavir by king Armenac.  People at that period imagined that those who were thus offered to the gods would become the special objects of their care. (History of Armenia, Chamchian-Avtaliantz, 1827)