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TSR Wiki > Study Help > Subjects and Revision > Revision Notes > History > Byzantium between the Mediterranean and fertile crescent

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• The Peace with Persia and the Division of the Mediterranean Basin

• When West and East drifting apart in 5th century – East longest spell peaceful relations with greatest rival Sassanid Persia.

• 384 CE – Theodosius I and Shapur II 0 partition of the Armenian buffer state between Rome and Persia. Removal grievous bone of contention allowed T to concentrate on two usurpers in the west and consolidation of his control.

• Yet Barbarian invasions – East does not utilize peace to help West. Tensions yes, but death of Arcadius and Stilicho should have stopped this – lack of initiative and inertia even when Theodosius II ascended the throne.

• Pressure of barbarians on East? No evidence of many measures taken against them – Attila only focusing on East because reached agreement with West who could not beat him without East.

• Paradox – three decades after resumption hostilities between Byzantium and Persia – after he had patched up a shaky peace with Chosro I, purpose leaving Justinian free to deal with Vandals, gave little hope of respite ended for Western enterprise.

• Bias sources but clear Persians mainly kept to their treaties and Romans failure to do so in 420-22 and 441-42 caused Roman lack of fulfilment for promises.

• Dilemma: relative peace and stability for its Eastern part at expense of virtual abandonment of the Mediterranean basin, or involvement in West leading to costly wars with Sassanids at least convenient moments.

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