Attempts at Disengagement with the alliance with Persia
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·        Marcia 450 – 57 – little threats. Hun gone and taken to task for not doing anything against Vandals, when Gaiseric inflicts damage to Eternal City only minor remonstrations. No indication of subsidies paid, may have not paid a penny. Peace financially beneficial – left 100,000 of gold in Imperia treasury – could peace have lasted longer?

·        Leo I – 457 – 74 – experiences dilemma – diplomatic delegations treated with arrogance – 464 delegation with Patricius Tatianus no audience – no Emperor could stand for this.

·        Symbolic at time situation in West deteriorating that strong diplomatic demands from the Persians 0 Piruz (459 – 84) in 464 demands better help in Caspian Gates and money for Kidarite Huns – advance payment.

·        Leo I difficult to accede esp. with imminent expedition to the West. Constantinius sent and differing reports- some say he got away without payment (Priscus disagrees). Josuhua Stylites says paid for Kidarite Huns – Leo chooses to pay esp. with memories of 41-42.

·        467 expedition disastrous – lack naval power rank and file, poor leadership, possibly treason, surely not helped y indecision resulting from ambiguous settlement in Persian area.

·        Huge cost: 65K Gold, 700K silver – not only cause – payments of Zeno (474-91). When Zeno and Anastasius avoid payments in their reigns (due to Kawad internal difficulties) results were noticeable. Lydus estimates an Anastius surplus of 10,000 K gold surplus. Why? Prudence, lack of military activity and lack of payment to Persians.

·        Dilemma clearly framed – Marcian: Eastern empire might enjoy Economic prosperity and relative peace price complete abandonment Roman imperial tradition. West: East take slight by Barbarian monarchs until have to give up any suzerainty over cradle of Roman Empire. Sooner or later East become virtual satellite Persia – tribute payer. Centre of gravity Fertile Crescent.

·        Leo’s policy of turning toward Mediterranean impossible choice with alliance with Persia - disengagement at price Byzantinium hardly afford.

Other Notes in this Category

1. Anastiasius between persia and mediterranean
2. Attempts at Disengagement with the alliance with Persia
3. Byzantium between the mediterranean and fertile crescent
4. epilogue: justinian and the reconquest of the mediterranean
5. Key Points
6. Marcian and leo i between eprsia and the mediterranean
7. Pirenne and the Mediterranean
8. Strategic Geography
9. The crisis of 441-42 and the byzantine political dilemma
10. the mare nostrum as an economic, political and cultural entity in greek and latin sources
11. The mediterranean and financial liabilites towards persia
12. The mediterranean and the literary tradition of the roman world
13. The mediterranean and the literary tradition of the roman world
14. The vandals and the decline of mediterranean navigation
15. Theodoisus ii, yazdgard i and the mediterranean
16. Two great powers in Late antiquity : A comparison
17. Whittow – making of orthodox byzantium

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