Roman frontiers and foreign policy in the East

Geoffrey Greatrex

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

    Abstract

    In the late 560s a Turkish embassy arrived in Constantinople at the court of Justin II. The Turks had just broken off relations with the Persians and were eager to enter into an alliance with the Romans. The emperor, having read through the letter from the Turkish ruler Sizabul brought by the embassy, proceeded to ask questions of the legation. He asked to know more about the Hephthalites, the powerful nation which the Turks claimed to have just conquered, and about the Avars, who had recently revolted from Turkish overlordship. Upon receiving their replies, Justin concluded an alliance with the Turks. It was a fateful development, for, buoyed up by this alliance, Justin soon reopened hostilities with Persia, ushering in a conflict which would last twenty years.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationAspects of the Roman East
    Subtitle of host publicationpapers in honour of Professor Fergus Millar FBA
    EditorsRichard Alston, Sam Lieu
    Place of PublicationTurnhout
    PublisherBrepols
    Pages103-173
    Number of pages71
    ISBN (Print)2503526256
    Publication statusPublished - 2007

    Publication series

    NameStudia antiqua australiensia
    PublisherBrepols

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