Theodoisus Ii Yazdgard I And The Mediterranean

Essay, Research Paper

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420 Crisis ? followed

2 decades of peace with Yazdgard I (399 ? 420) ? not liked did not have booty

or war to keep nobility happy. Important allies in Saracen princes of al-Hira ?

relies on military powers (dismay of nobility).? Also possibility of diplomatic subsidies from Rome ?

Yazdgard played an

important role in making sure Theo II, after Arcadius will, got to throne in

408, seems unlikely Byzantine would have initiated any friction with Persian

king.? But yes ? Byzantine government to

use Christian missions to entice Persian Saracen vassals to transfer allegiance

to Western Empire. ?

?422 Treaty between Theodosius II and Bahram

I- both agreed not to accept Saracen rebels in event of revolt ?

Yazdgard persecuting

Christians only toward end of his reign ? lively missionary activity within

Persian Empire was provocation.? Rome

then accepts Saracen tribes pretext could not refuse Christians asylum.? War 421-22 breaks out when Thoe?s government

refuses to send back refugees ? yaxdgard and successor Bahram V. ?

Why did Romans try to

reinforce defensive system with Saracens against peaceful neighbour?? Persian simply reacting to Roman rule.? Universal political power should not depend

on goodwill of another with similar pretensions.? Policy of disengagement from any semblance of such dependence.? Supplies of men depleted in Byzantium ?

risks playing with fire ?

Also theory that East

wanted Mediterranean basin as secure ? needed total Persian border security

independently of Persian goodwill.