idea of Rome pledging
herself to acknowledge Chosroes as his father's successor must have been
brought forward. The proposal, whatever its exact terms, led however to
no result. Rome declined to do as Kobad desired; and thus another ground
of estrangement was added to those which had previously made the renewal
of the Roman war a mere question of time.

It is probable that the rupture would have occurred earlier than it did
had not Persia about the year A.D. 523 become once more the scene of
religious discord and conspiracy. The followers of Mazdak had been
hitherto protected by Kobad, and had lived in peace and multiplied
throughout all the provinces of the empire. Content with the toleration
which they enjoyed, they had for above twenty years created no
disturbance, and their name had almost disappeared from the records of
history. But as time went on they began to feel that their position was
insecure. Their happiness, their very safety, depended upon a single
life; and as Kobad advanced in years they grew to dread more and more
the prospect which his death would open. Among his sons there was but
one who had embraced their doctrine; and this prince, Phthasuarsas, had
but little chance of being chosen to be his father's successor. Kaoses
enjoyed the claim of natural right; Chosroes was his father's favorite;
Zames had the respect and good wishes of the great mass of the people;
Phthasuarsas was disliked by the Magi, and, if the choice lay with them,
was certain to be passed over. The sectaries therefore determined not
to wait the natural course of events, but to shape them to their own
purposes. They promised Phthasuarsas to obtain by their prayers his
father's abdication and his own appointment to succeed him, and asked
him to pledge himself to establish their religion as that of the State
when he became king. The prince consented; and the Mazdakites proceeded
to arrange their plans, when, unfortunately for them, Kobad discovered,
or suspected, that a scheme was on foot to deprive him of his crown.
Whether the designs of the sectaries were really treasonable or not is
uncertain; but whatever they were, an Oriental monarch was not likely to
view them with favor. In the East it is an offence even to speculate on
the death of the king; and Kobad saw in the intrigue which had been set
on foot a criminal and dangerous conspiracy. He determined at once to
crush the movement. Inviting the Mazdakites to a solemn assembly, at