Eternal Peace (532)
Encyclopedia
The Eternal Peace signed in 532 between the East Roman (Byzantine) Empire
and Sassanid Persia, was a peace treaty
of indefinite duration, which concluded the Iberian War
(527–531) between the two powers. It heralded a period of relatively cordial relations, but it lasted only until 540, when hostilities resumed over the control of Lazica.
against the Persians in 524/525, had been largely indecisive: the Persians swiftly crushed the revolt, but were unable to make any gains in Byzantine territory except for two forts, Scanda and Sarapanis, in Lazica. The Byzantines had recovered from some early reversals to inflict two major defeats on the Persians in 530 at Dara
and Satala
. In their aftermath, they gained the two border forts of Bolum and Pharangium in Persarmenia
, but were in turn defeated at Callinicum
in 531. Throughout these conflicts, periods of truce and negotiations were interspersed with campaigns, but these had led to no concrete results.
With the death of the Persian shah Kavadh I
(r. 488–531) in late 531, however, and the accession of his third son Khosrau I
(r. 531–579), the situation changed: Khosrau's domestic position was insecure, while on the Byzantine side, Emperor Justinian I
(r. 527–565) was more focused on recovering the lost western half
of the Roman Empire
than in pursuing war against Persia. The Byzantine envoys Rufinus, Hermogenes
, Alexander and Thomas found Khosrau had a more conciliatory disposition than his father, and an agreement was soon reached. Byzantium would pay 110 centenaria (11,000 pounds) of gold, ostensibly as a contribution to the defense of the Caucasus
passes against the barbarians living beyond, and the base of the dux Mesopotamiae would be withdrawn from the fortress of Dara
to the city of Constantina. The two rulers would recognize each other as equal and pledged mutual assistance. Khosrau initially refused to hand back the two Lazic forts, while demanding the return of the two other forts the Byzantines had captured in Persarmenia. Justinian at first agreed, but soon changed his mind, causing the agreement to be broken off. In summer 532, however, a new Byzantine embassy by Hermogenes and Rufinus managed to persuade Khosrau for a full exchange of the occupied forts, as well as for allowing the exiled Iberian rebels to either remain in Byzantium or return unmolested to their homes.
The next few years were marked by a remarkably cordial atmosphere and cooperation between the Middle East
's two great powers. During that time, however, as Justinian focused his energy and resources in his wars of reconquest against the Vandals
and in Italy against the Goths, the defenses of the East were neglected. This presented a golden opportunity for Khosrau, who, urged by Gothic envoys, and anxious to fill his depleted state coffers with booty, began a new war
in summer 540.
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
and Sassanid Persia, was a peace treaty
Peace treaty
A peace treaty is an agreement between two or more hostile parties, usually countries or governments, that formally ends a state of war between the parties...
of indefinite duration, which concluded the Iberian War
Iberian War
The Iberian War was fought from 526 to 532 between the Eastern Roman Empire and Sassanid Empire over the eastern Georgian kingdom of Iberia.-Origin:After the Anastasian War, a seven-year truce was agreed on, yet it lasted for nearly twenty years...
(527–531) between the two powers. It heralded a period of relatively cordial relations, but it lasted only until 540, when hostilities resumed over the control of Lazica.
History
The Iberian War, which had been provoked by the uprising of the IberiansCaucasian Iberia
Iberia , also known as Iveria , was a name given by the ancient Greeks and Romans to the ancient Georgian kingdom of Kartli , corresponding roughly to the eastern and southern parts of the present day Georgia...
against the Persians in 524/525, had been largely indecisive: the Persians swiftly crushed the revolt, but were unable to make any gains in Byzantine territory except for two forts, Scanda and Sarapanis, in Lazica. The Byzantines had recovered from some early reversals to inflict two major defeats on the Persians in 530 at Dara
Battle of Dara
The Battle of Dara was fought between the Sassanids and the Byzantine Empire in 530. It was one of the battles of the Iberian War.- Background :...
and Satala
Battle of Satala (530)
The Battle of Satala was fought between the forces of the Eastern Roman Empire and the Sassanid Empire in summer 530, near Satala in Byzantine Armenia. The Persian army approached the city to lay siege, when it was attacked in the rear by a small Byzantine force. The Persians turned back to meet...
. In their aftermath, they gained the two border forts of Bolum and Pharangium in Persarmenia
Persarmenia
Nor-Shirakan or Persarmenia , also known as Adiabene, was part of Greater Armenia, but now situated on the western shore of Lake Urmia in northern Iran. Following the partition of Greater Armenia between the Roman Empire and Sassanid Empire in 387, the territory under Sassanid influence became to...
, but were in turn defeated at Callinicum
Battle of Callinicum
The Battle of Callinicum took place Easter day, 19 April 531, between the armies of the Eastern Roman Empire under Belisarius and the Sassanid Persians under Azarethes. After a defeat at the Battle of Dara, the Sassanids moved to invade Syria in an attempt to turn the tide of the war...
in 531. Throughout these conflicts, periods of truce and negotiations were interspersed with campaigns, but these had led to no concrete results.
With the death of the Persian shah Kavadh I
Kavadh I
Kavad or Kavadh I was the son of Peroz I and the nineteenth Sassanid king of Persia, reigning from 488 to 531...
(r. 488–531) in late 531, however, and the accession of his third son Khosrau I
Khosrau I
Khosrau I , also known as Anushiravan the Just or Anushirawan the Just Khosrau I (also called Chosroes I in classical sources, most commonly known in Persian as Anushirvan or Anushirwan, Persian: انوشيروان meaning the immortal soul), also known as Anushiravan the Just or Anushirawan the Just...
(r. 531–579), the situation changed: Khosrau's domestic position was insecure, while on the Byzantine side, Emperor Justinian I
Justinian I
Justinian I ; , ; 483– 13 or 14 November 565), commonly known as Justinian the Great, was Byzantine Emperor from 527 to 565. During his reign, Justinian sought to revive the Empire's greatness and reconquer the lost western half of the classical Roman Empire.One of the most important figures of...
(r. 527–565) was more focused on recovering the lost western half
Western Roman Empire
The Western Roman Empire was the western half of the Roman Empire after its division by Diocletian in 285; the other half of the Roman Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire, commonly referred to today as the Byzantine Empire....
of the Roman Empire
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
than in pursuing war against Persia. The Byzantine envoys Rufinus, Hermogenes
Hermogenes (magister officiorum)
Hermogenes was an East Roman official who served as magister officiorum, military commander and diplomatic envoy during the Iberian War against Sassanid Persia in the early reign of Justinian I .- Life :...
, Alexander and Thomas found Khosrau had a more conciliatory disposition than his father, and an agreement was soon reached. Byzantium would pay 110 centenaria (11,000 pounds) of gold, ostensibly as a contribution to the defense of the Caucasus
Caucasus
The Caucasus, also Caucas or Caucasia , is a geopolitical region at the border of Europe and Asia, and situated between the Black and the Caspian sea...
passes against the barbarians living beyond, and the base of the dux Mesopotamiae would be withdrawn from the fortress of Dara
Dara (Mesopotamia)
Dara or Daras was an important East Roman fortress city in northern Mesopotamia on the border with the Sassanid Empire. Because of its great strategic importance, it featured prominently in the Roman-Persian conflicts of the 6th century, with the famous Battle of Dara taking place before its walls...
to the city of Constantina. The two rulers would recognize each other as equal and pledged mutual assistance. Khosrau initially refused to hand back the two Lazic forts, while demanding the return of the two other forts the Byzantines had captured in Persarmenia. Justinian at first agreed, but soon changed his mind, causing the agreement to be broken off. In summer 532, however, a new Byzantine embassy by Hermogenes and Rufinus managed to persuade Khosrau for a full exchange of the occupied forts, as well as for allowing the exiled Iberian rebels to either remain in Byzantium or return unmolested to their homes.
The next few years were marked by a remarkably cordial atmosphere and cooperation between the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
's two great powers. During that time, however, as Justinian focused his energy and resources in his wars of reconquest against the Vandals
Vandalic War
The Vandalic War was a war fought in North Africa, in the areas of modern Tunisia and eastern Algeria, in 533-534, between the forces of the Eastern Roman Empire and the Vandal Kingdom of Carthage...
and in Italy against the Goths, the defenses of the East were neglected. This presented a golden opportunity for Khosrau, who, urged by Gothic envoys, and anxious to fill his depleted state coffers with booty, began a new war
Lazic War
The Lazic War or Colchic War, also known as the Great War of Egrisi in Georgian historiography, was fought between the Byzantine Empire and Sassanid Persia for control of the region of Lazica, in what is now western Georgia...
in summer 540.