Byzantium and the East in the sixth century

This chapter includes an overview of Romano-Persian relations up to the early sixth century, in order to appreciate the background to Justinian's policies in the East. It then briefly examines the position of the Persian kingdom in the sixth century, before moving on to offer a concise narrative of eastern events during Justinian's reign. Next, the author turns to the margins of the empire, from the Caucasus to southern Arabia, in order to grasp the complexity of foreign relations in the sixth century and to appreciate the delicate balance that existed between the two powers. This allows for an assessment of how the emperor attempted to come to grips with the East and of how successful his strategies were.