Byzantium Between The Mediterranean And Fertile Crescent Essay, Research Paper
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The Peace with Persia
and the Division of the Mediterranean Basin ?
When West and East
drifting apart in 5th century ? East longest spell peaceful
relations with greatest rival Sassanid Persia. ?
384 CE ? Theodosius I
and Shapur II 0 partition of the Armenian buffer state between Rome and Persia.
Removal grievous bone of contention allowed T to concentrate on two usurpers in
the west and consolidation of his control. ?
Yet Barbarian
invasions ? East does not utilize peace to help West.? Tensions yes, but death of Arcadius and Stilicho should have
stopped this ? lack of initiative and inertia even when Theodosius II ascended
the throne. ?
Pressure of barbarians
on East?? No evidence of many measures
taken against them ? Attila only focussing on East because reached agreement
with West who could not beat him without East. ?
Paradox ? three
decades after resumption hostilities between Byzantium and Persia ? after he
had patched up a shaky peace with Chosro I, purpose leaving Justinian free to
deal with Vandals, gave little hope of respite ended for Western enterprise. ?
Bias sources but clear
Persians mainly kept to their treaties and Romans failure to do so in 420-22
and 441-42 caused Roman lack of fulfilment for promises. ?
Dilemma: relative
peace and stability for its Eastern part at expense of virtual abandonment of
the Mediterranean basin, or involvement in West leading to costly wars with
Sassanids at least convenient moments.