Peace and War - Rome and Persia - 5-7th Centuries
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WHY DID ROME AND PERSIA TURN FROM A COMPARATIVELY PEACEFUL 5^th CENTURY TO SPEND SO MUCH OF THE 6^th AND 7^th CENTURY AT WAR WITH EACH OTHER?

INTRODUCTION

• Centuries of peace based on diplomacy – shattered 6^th centuries wars – list
• By mid 7^th both empires destroyed – signifcance
• Importanc eexplore why peace initially and then reasons for fall into chaos

WHY PEACEFUL 4^th AND 5^th CENTURIES?

Diplomacy – another option

• Conflict resolution – link to minor examples of conflict – Julian etc, even that doubtful – from Theodosius onwards
• Neither having expansionist aims – may have perceived from other side – site examples of opportunities gone begging page 31– sinister Julian shows how unwise invasion was – limited capacity Diocletian
• Perpetuating treaties – 363 etc – few wars much more negotiation – 421 441(Two Great Powers)

Why such a diplomatic record?

• Assess why breaks up – why peace existed
• Sasanian Empire – seen as stable, less Barbarian, although no trust.
• Century – recognition similar external threats – northern Huns and Balkans – neither war on two fronts, esp. Romans – bones of contention removed 4^th century Caspian Gates and Armeina page 36
• As Rubin – dilemma need security on this front to operate other front
• Lee’s point increasing levels of information allowing more knowledge and analysis of what was going on – civilised power keeps its bond
• Internal factors – Sasanians primogeniture p 32 – polygamy and power church internal affairs keep tight reign on – difficult to mount campaigns because of links nobility –
• Borders – Mesoptomaia - no real border, border towns, whether frontier at all questioned -Romans not into land but rather territories – people of Empire not land, permeability – influence of Babylonia and Jewish people – link to religion permeating Persian from missionaries
• Political dialogue recognition similar external threats – war as means of extending strengthening treaties

WHY 6^th CENTURY PROBLEMS?

Emperor Honour and Glory + Dilemma

• Rubin’s argument – political dilemma Mediterranean basin and Eastern – no coincide West and East drifting apart in 5^th century – longest successful period pf peace – wanted peace East – couldn’t embark on West – problematic trust
• Psychological problems of paying monies – subservience to Persia - Whitby
• Later 5^th century -Anastasius worried absorption into Persian Empire 0 huge costs of Gold – payments decline as attempt to get out of expensive demeaning agreements.
• Justinian attempt to get out of dilemma war of conquests and Persia (look up!!) – exacerbates problems – less able to deal with Sasanian problems – fundamental split of resources – final assertion Roman military and imperial tradition precipitate decline – refuses subsidy to Chosroes I – Antioch sacked
• Same on Persian side – Kings rely on nobility support of other Kings (Kurso I strengthening centralisation ease of army)– internal crisis as before, outward looking game. Honour of war chasing etc – 502 campaign internal crisis – Kavad – vicious cycle – further aggressions in 540 Khurso I, Justin II 543 and Kurson II 603- embitter fragile relations – more money more direct control vicious circle
• Intent changes – somewhere declaration of defeating Empire
  
  

Wars Prolonged

• Fragile balance disturbed as we have seen Romans reneging on agreements etc
• Exacerbation ferment of change Cameron talks of
• Drain resources – western front, difficult to raise taxes – see decline defences in Mesoptomai allow Persians in
• Plague 542 – another drain on difficult armies to get on.
• Political instability – Phocas etc, financial difficulties Heraclion stripping silverware off

CONCLUSION

• Fragility of peace means easy to disrupt
• Imperial ambition of Roman honour – cannot keep stratum quo – never true stability.
• Not helped decline other areas – must say Justinian decline irreversible depreciation of resources – did well to fight back
• Ferment of change argument – when got in really got in
• Fragility easily exposed and huge circle, encompassing honour to decline Empire, even Arabs.

Other Notes in this Category

1. Ancient Cities
2. Carolignian Period
3. Charles the Bald
4. Chronology of Byzantium and Persia
5. Dynasty of Theodosius I and Barbarians in the West
6. French and British Agriculture
7. Islamic Conquests up to 700 a.d. - Islamic Strenghts / Roman Weaknesses?
8. Islamic Conquests up to 700 a.d. - Islamic Strenghts / Roman Weaknesses?
9. MOHAMMED, CHARLEMAGEN AND THE ORIGINS OF EUROPE
10. New Centres of Power in the 8th and Ninth Century
11. Peace and War - Rome and Persia - 5-7th Centuries
12. Practice Questions
13. The Age of Attila
14. The Decline of the Ancient World
15. The Mediterranean and the Dilemma of the Roman Empire in Late antiquity
16. Warfare
17. Was successful Kingship in Merovingian Gaul simply a matter of being an effective and lucky war lead
18. Why did the western empire fall when the east survived?

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