Kobad at once declared war.

The two empires had now been uninterruptedly at peace for sixty, and, with the exception of a single campaign (that of A.D.

441), for eighty years.

They had ceased to feel that respect for each other's arms and valor which experience gives, and which is the best preservative against wanton hostilities.

Kobad was confident in his strength, since he was able to bring into the field, besides the entire force of Persia, a largo Ephthalite contingent, and also a number of Arabs.