yond
the river Tigris, which are given by one writer as Intilene, Sophene,
Arzanene, Carduene, and Zabdicene; by another as Arzanene, Moxoene,
Zabdicene, Rehimene, and Corduene; (ii.) the recognition of the Tigris,
as the general boundary between the two empires; (iii.) the extension of
Armenia to the fortress of Zintha, in Media; (iv.) the relinquishment by
Persia to Rome of her protectorate over Iberia, including the right of
giving investiture to the Iberian kings; and (v.) the recognition of
Nisibis as the place at which alone commercial dealings could take place
between the two nations.

It would seem that the Persians were surprised at the moderation of
these demands. Their exact value and force will require some discussion;
but at any rate it is clear that, under the circumstances, they were
not felt to be excessive. Narses did not dispute any of them except the
last: and it seems to have been rather because he did not wish it to
be said that he had yielded everything, than because the condition was
really very onerous, that he made objection in this instance. Sicorius
was fortunately at liberty to yield the point. He at once withdrew
the fifth article of the treaty, and, the other four being accepted, a
formal peace was concluded between the two nations.

To understand the real character of the peace now made, and to
appreciate properly the relations thereby established between Rome
and Persia, it will be necessary to examine at some length the several
conditions of the treaty, and to see exactly what was imported by each
of them. There is scarcely one out of the whole number that carries its
meaning plainly upon its face; and on the more important very various
interpretations have been put, so that a discussion and settlement of
some rather intricate points is here necessary.

(i.) There is a considerable difference of opinion as to the five
provinces ceded to Rome by the first article of the treaty, as to their
position and extent, and consequently as to their importance. By some
they are put on the right, by others on the left, bank of the Tigris;
while of those who assign them this latter position some place them in
a cluster about the sources of the river, while others extend them very
much further to the southward. Of the five provinces three only can
be certainly named, since the authorities differ as to the two others.
These three are Arzanene, Cordyene, and Zabdicene, which occur in that
order in Pat