CHAPTER II.
Departure of Belisarius, accompanied by the "consular" Photius, for the war against Chosroes, King of Persia--Antonina remains at Byzantium--Her intrigues against Photius--The latter denounces her adulterous intimacy with Theodosius--Indignation of Belisarius--His agreement with Photius--His vengeance postponed--Entry of the Roman army into Persia--Downfall of John the Cappadocian--Antonina's perjuries--She sets out for the army--Theodosius sent back to Ephesus--Capture of Sisauranum--Arrival of Antonina--Retirement of Belisarius--Arethas and the Saracens--Colchis or Lazica invaded by Chosroes--Capture of Petra--Reverse sustained by Chosroes--The Huns defeated by Valerian--Insurrectionist movement amongst the Persians--Letter of Theodora to Zaberganes--Return of Chosroes to Persia..