The Romans and Persians amused each other with alternate embassies during its course, and with negotiations that were not intended to have any result.

The two monarchs made vast preparations; and with the spring of A.D.578 hostilities recommenced.

Chosroes is accused of having anticipated the expiration of the truce by a period of forty days; but it is more probable that he and the Romans estimated the date of its expiration differently.

However this was, it is certain that his generals, Mebodes and Sapoes, took the field in early spring with 20,000 horse, and entering the Roman Armenia laid waste the country, at the same time threatening Constantina and Theodosiopolis.

Simultaneously Tamchosro, quitting Persarmenia, marched westward and plundered the country about Amida (Diarbekr).