Keywords
Chosroes
Anushirvan
Eastern Roman
Sassanid
Eternal Peace
How to Cite
Abstract
In this study, the Eternal Peace Agreement of
532, the first diplomatic relation of the Eastern Roman
Emperor Justinian with the Sassanid Emperor Chosroes
Anushirvan, which shaped the political history of the
sixth century, is analysed. This agreement was signed
between the Eastern Roman and Sassanid empires for
the first time, without specifying anytime, and it was referred to as the Eternal Peace Agreement in the sixth
century sources. The agreement was reported by Procopius of Caesarea and by Malalas, and is also documented from an inscription found in the city of Hierapolis in
Syria. The inscription informs that after the war that
lasted thirty years, peace was established and a payment
was made to the Sassanids. The Eternal Peace Agreement only lasted between the two empires for less than
eight years; then, in 540, a breaking point occured in
Eastern Roman-Sassanid relations. This study aims to
examine the war situation of the two empires and why
the Peace agreement was called “Eternal”.
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