territory. A treaty
was signed by which the contracting powers undertook to remain at peace
and respect each other's dominions for the space of seven years. No
definite arrangement seems to have been made with respect to the yearly
payment on account of the fortress, Birapa-rach, the demand for which
had occasioned the war. This claim remained in abeyance, to be pressed
or neglected, as Persia might consider her interests to require.

The Ephthalite war, which compelled Kobad to make peace with Anastasius,
appears to have occupied him uninterruptedly for ten years. During its
continuance Rome took advantage of her rival's difficulties to continue
the system (introduced under the younger Theodosius) of augmenting
her own power, and crippling that of Persia, by establishing strongly
fortified posts upon her border in the immediate vicinity of Persian
territory. Not content with restoring Theodosiopolis and greatly
strengthening it defences, Anastasius erected an entirely new fortress
at Daras, on the southern skirts of the Mons Masius, within twelve miles
of Nisibis, at the edge of the great Mesopotamian plain. This place was
not a mere fort, but a city; it contained churches, baths, porticoes,
large granaries, and extensive cisterns. It constituted a standing
menace to Persia; and its erection was in direct violation of the treaty
made by Theodosius with Isdigerd II., which was regarded as still in
force by both nations.

We cannot be surprised that Kobad, when his Ephthalite war was over,
made formal complaint at Constantinople (ab. A.D. 517); of the infraction
of the treaty. Anastasius was unable to deny the charge. He endeavored
at first to meet it by a mixture of bluster with professions of
friendship; but when this method did not appear effectual he had
recourse to an argument whereof the Persians on most occasions
acknowledged the force. By the expenditure of a large sum of money he
either corrupted the ambassadors of Kobad, or made them honestly doubt
whether the sum paid would not satisfy their master.

In A.D. 518 Anastasius died, and the imperial authority was assumed by
the Captain of the Guard, the "Dacian peasant," Justin. With him Kobad
very shortly entered jinto negotiations. He had not, it is clear,
accepted the pecuniary sacrifice of Anastasius as a complete
satisfaction. He felt that he had many grounds of quarrel with the
Romans, There was the old matter of the annual payment due on account
of the