Beate Dignas & Engelbert Winter - Kaveh Farrokh

2.4 The sixth century 41
In 551 a new armistice, which did not apply to Lazika, had been concluded
for five years and was ending now. Xusrō wanted to conclude
a peace and sent envoys to Justinian. In 557 both sides agreed upon a
general armistice, which included Lazika. Until a final peace treaty had
been signed each would remain in possession of the territories they were
occupying. 130
It is not clear why it took another five years before a formal peace was concluded,
as both sides were interested in a permanent settlement. Justinian
was threatened by the Huns at the borders of his empire, and Xusrō faced
new and powerful enemies in the East. 131 It is likely that neither of the two
sides wanted to initiate negotiations for a peace in order not to appear in the
weaker position. Both powers acted defensively, watched the opponent suspiciously
from a distance and tried to hide their own intentions. 132 Finally in
autumn of 562 a formal peace (20) ended the second great Roman–Sasanian
War of the sixth century.
In the following period the focus of Persia’s foreign policy shifted to the
East and to the Arabian Peninsula. Between 546 and 562 the powerful empire
of the Western Turks had formed in the Sasanian East. 133 After the fall of the
Hephthalite Huns in 557 these became a natural enemy of the Sasanians,
especially when they allied themselves with the Romans and established
contractual contacts with Justin II (565–78). 134 This alliance together with
the Persian advance all the way into Yemen (14) led to new tensions shortly
after the foedus of 562 had been concluded. Xusrō I Anōˇsarvān was still king
when in the spring of 572 another long lasting war between Romans and
Persians broke out (14). 135
While Roman units attempted but failed to take Nisibis 136 the Sasanians
captured the Roman fortress of Dārā and invaded and raided large areas of
Syria. 137 In the following years both sides suffered heavy losses. Justin II was
not getting any advantage out of the war and his empire was threatened
by the Avars in the North and the Langobards in Italy; Tiberius, whom
Justin had appointed to be his co-regent when he became severely ill in
574, therefore decided to come to terms with Xusrō I. 138 The parties agreed
130 Agath. iv.30.8–10. 131 Widengren 1952: 69–94; Golden 1992; Sinor 1990a: 285–316.
132 Agath. iv.23.1. 133 Sinor 1990a: 285–316; Golden 1992; Christian 1998.
134 For Justin’s attempt to engage the Sasanians in a war with two fronts see Frye 1983a: 158–9.
135 On this third great war in the sixth century see Bury 1966: 95–126; Whitby 1988: 250–75; Cowe
1991: 265–76; Isaac 1995: 125–55.
136 On the struggle for Nisibis see also Lee 1993a: 569–85 and Whitby 2000: 266–8.
137 For these developments see Szádeczky-Kardoss 1979: 113–18; on the situation in Syria see
Liebeschuetz 1977: 487–99.
138 On the peace efforts during this period see Winter 1994: 605–6.