Alamundarus indeed, though a Persian vassal, regarded himself as entitled, despite the truce, to pursue his quarrel with his natural enemy, Arethas, who acknowledged the suzerainty of Rome; but Chosroes is not even accused of instigating his proceedings; and the war between the vassals was carried on without dragging either of the two lords-paramount into its vortex.

Thus far, then, neither side had any cause of complaint against the other.

If we were bound to accept the Roman story of a project formed by Chosroes for the surprise and seizure of Daras, we should have to admit that circumstances rather than his own will saved the Persian monarch from the guilt of being the first to break the agreement.

But the tale told by Procopius is improbable; and the Roman belief of it can have rested at best only upon suspicion.

Chosroes, it is allowed, committed no hostile act; and it may well be doubted whether he really entertained the design ascribed to him.