The history of the warres of the Emperour Justinian in eight books : of the Persian, II, Vandall, II, Gothicke, IV / written in Greek by Procopivs of Caesarea ; and Englished by Henry Holcroft, Knight.

CHAP. XXI.

BUt into Lazica Chosroes first sent much ship-timber, giving out it was for engines to stand upon the walls of Petra. Then he sent Fabrizus, with three hundred chosen Persians, instructing him, closely to kill Gubazes, and of the sequele he would take care. The timbers in Lazica were all consumed by lightening. But Fabrizus being there, and practising to execute his instructi∣ons concerning Gubazes, sent for a Nobleman of the country, named Pharsanses, (whom he understood to be in disgrace with Gubazes for some offence, not daring to come in his fight) and to him revealed the matter, and advised with him how to attempt it. The conclusion was, that Fabrizus should goe to Petra, and send for Gubazes, to acquaint him with the great Kings reso∣lution touching Lazica. But Pharsanses secretly discovered the plot to Gu∣bazes. Who thereupon refused to come to Fabrizus, and prepared for an open revolt. Fabrizus committed the guard of Petra to the other Persians, to pre∣pare all things safe against a siege; and so went home, having done nothing. Gubazes reported to Justinian the present estate, besought his pardon for things past, and his present ayd to shake off the Persian Government. The Emperour was glad of the news, and sent him seven thousand men, comman∣ded by Dagisthaeus, and a thousand Tzanians. Who joyned with Gubazes and the natives, and besieged Petra. The Persians within defended it valiant∣ly, and much time was spent in the siege; they having laid in store of victuall in the town. Chosroes was troubled at it, and sent against them a great army of horse and foot, under the command of Mermeroes. Whereof Gubazes being advertised, and upon advise with Dagisthaeus, did thus. The River of Boas springs near the confines of Tzanica, about Pharangium in Armenia. First it runnes a good way to the Northward, and is small and fortable, till it comes where it hath the Marches of Iberia to the North, and the utmost ridge of Mount Caucasus to the South. Hereabout inhabit the Alans, and the Abas∣gians, in antient amitie with the Romans, and they are Christians; the Zec∣chians also, and Sabirian Hunnes. From the Marches of Iberia and Caucasus, this River is supplyed with other waters, grows greater, and instead of Boas is called Phasis; is navigable, and disembogues into the Euxine sea. On both sides of it is Lazica. To the right hand the country is well inhabited, to the borders of Iberia; on that side the river are their villages, and some small cities, antiently built, as Archaeopolis, a strong place; Sebastopolis, and the Castle of Pityuntium; and towards Iberia, Scanda, and Sarap••nis. Other strong Cities there are, as Rhodopolis, and Muchrisiis. But to the Southward are the Marches of Lazica for a dayes journey, a country uninhabited; upon

which border the Ponticke Romans. In the desert marches of Lazica Justinian built Petra in my time, where, (as I said) John Tzibus set up the monopoly, which caused the Lazians defection. From Petra Southward the Roman bor∣ders begin; where are populous towns, as Rhizaeum, Athens, and others unto Trapezond. The Lazians, when they brought Chosroes into the countrey, past the Boas, and came to Petra; leaving Phasis (then so called) to his right hand; pretending to avoyd the delay and toyle of ferrying over the river Phasis; but in truth not willing to shew the Persians their dwellings. And Lazica on both sides the river is full of bad wayes, having rocks on either side the countrey, which make long narrow glinnes. (The Romans, as the Grecians, call such wayes, Clausurae.) But then, Lazica being unguarded, the Persians guided by the natives, came with ease to Petra.

But now Gubazes being informed of the Persians coming, wrote to Dagisthae∣us to send forces to guard the passage beyond the Phasis, and not to raise the siege, before Petra were taken. Himself with his own army march't to the utmost borders of Lazica, to guard the Passage there. He had sometime be∣fore gotten some troopes of Alans,* 1.1 and Sabirians; who agreed for three Cente∣naries, to help to guard his countrey, and so depopulate Iberia, that the Per∣sians should not be able to come in that way; and the money the Emperor was to pay: whom Gubazes praid to send the same, and some Donative to the La∣zians, now in much distress; alledging himself also to be behind for ten yeares, being enrolled a Silentiary of the Imperiall Palace, and having receaved no pay from the time Chosroës entred Lazica. Justinian meant to performe his re∣quest, but greater business diverting him, he sent not the money in the due time. But Dagisthaeus, being a young man, and unable to manage a Persian warr, made no advantage of the opportunities offered him: Whereas he should have sent to the Passage the most of his army, and been himself at the action, he sent, as to some slight business, onely two hundred men. And he did nothing upon Petra with all his forces: The enemy within, at first were not 1500. men, who continually being shot, and slaine at the assaults; after as much valour, as ever men shewed, were reduced to a very few; and dispairing, and unable, lay still. The Romans drew a mine under the wall; and the wall falling with a house joyning to it, fell all into the Ruine, securing the town as much as the wall. This troubled not the Romans, who saw hope, by mining in another part, to take the town: and Dagisthaeus wrote of it to the Emperour; urging for rewards of victory, and appointing what he and his brother should have; for they would take Petra presently. But the Persians receaved the assaults bravely, and beyong expectation; their troopes being much decayed. Where∣in the Romans prevailing not, they mined againe, and came on with their work so, that the foundation of the wall had no ground to beare it, and the wall was in the aire, suddainly to fall. And if Dagisthaeus had presently put fire to the supporters, the town had been taken. But he with his hopes from the Emperour, dallying, did nothing.

Notes

• * 1.1

  9450 l. sterl.