died and that Chosroes, son of Cabades, had become king over the Persians, and that in this way the situation had become unsettled.  And as a result of this the generals heard the words of the Romans gladly, since they feared also the attack of the Huns.  The Romans therefore straightway gave as hostages Martinus and one of the body-guards of Sittas, Senecius by name; so the Persians broke up the siege and made their departure promptly.  And the Huns not long afterward invaded the land of the Romans, but since they did not find the Persian army there, they made their raid a short one, and then all departed homeward.

XXII

Straightway Rufinus and Alexander and Thomas came to act as ambassadors with Hermogenes, and they all came before the Persian king at the River Tigris.  And when Chosroes saw them, he released the hostages.  Then the ambassadors coaxed Chosroes, and spoke many beguiling words most unbecoming to Roman ambassadors.  By this treatment Chosroes became tractable, and agreed to establish a peace with them that should be without end for the price of one hundred and ten “centenaria,” on condition that the commander of troops in Mesopotamia should be no longer at Daras, but should spend all his time in Constantina, as was customary in former times; but the fortresses in Lazica he refused to give back, although he himself demanded that he should receive back from the Romans both Pharangium and the fortress of Bolum. (Now the “centenarium” weighs one hundred pounds, for which reason it is so called; for the Romans call one hundred “centum").  He demanded that this gold be given him, in order that the Romans might not be compelled either to tear down the city of Daras or to share the garrison at the Caspian Gates with the Persians[29].  However the ambassadors, while approving the rest, said that they were not able to concede the fortresses, unless they should first make enquiry of the emperor concerning them.  It was decided, accordingly, that Rufinus should be sent concerning them to Byzantium, and that the others should wait until he should return.  And it was arranged with Rufinus that seventy days’ time be allowed until he should arrive.  When Rufinus reached Byzantium and reported to the emperor what Chosroes’ decision was concerning the peace, the emperor commanded that the peace be concluded by them on these terms.

In the meantime, however, a report which was not true reached Persia saying that the Emperor Justinian had become enraged and put Rufinus to death.  Chosroes indeed was much perturbed by this, and, already filled with anger, he advanced against the Romans with his whole army.  But Rufinus met him on the way as he was returning not far from the city of Nisibis.  Therefore they proceeded to this city themselves, and, since they were about to establish the peace, the ambassadors began to convey the money thither.  But the Emperor Justinian was already repenting that