History Perpetual Peace (532)

the roman-persian frontier in 4th 7th centuries

the iberian war, had been provoked uprising of iberians against persians in 524/5, had been largely indecisive: persians swiftly crushed revolt, unable make gains in byzantine territory except 2 forts, scanda , sarapanis, in lazica. byzantines had recovered reversals inflict 2 major defeats on persians in 530 @ dara , satala. in aftermath, gained 2 border forts of bolum , pharangium in persarmenia, in turn defeated @ callinicum in 531. throughout these conflicts, periods of truce , negotiations interspersed campaigns, these had led no concrete results.

with death of persian shahanshah kavadh (r. 488–531) in late 531, however, , accession of third son khosrau (r. 531–579), situation changed: khosrau s domestic position insecure, while on byzantine side, emperor justinian (r. 527–565) perhaps more focused on recovering lost western half of roman empire in pursuing war against persia. byzantine envoys rufinus, hermogenes, alexander , thomas found khosrau in more conciliatory disposition father, , agreement reached. justinian pay 110 centenaria (11,000 pounds) of gold, ostensibly contribution defence of caucasus passes against barbarians living beyond, , base of dux mesopotamiae withdrawn fortress of dara city of constantina. 2 rulers recognize once again each other equal , pledged mutual assistance. khosrau refused hand 2 lazic forts, while demanding return of 2 other forts byzantines had captured in persian armenia. justinian @ first agreed, changed mind, causing agreement broken off. in summer 532, however, new embassy hermogenes , rufinus managed persuade khosrau full exchange of occupied forts, allowing exiled iberian rebels either remain in byzantine empire or return unmolested homes.

the next few years marked remarkably cordial atmosphere , cooperation between middle east s 2 great powers. during time, however, justinian focused energy , resources in wars of reconquest against vandals , in italy against goths, defenses of east neglected. presented golden opportunity khosrau, who, urged gothic envoys , anxious fill depleted state coffers booty, began new war in summer 540.