tomian
side of the Tigris by a demonstration from Singara against Seleucia
and Ctesiphon. He can hardly have expected to do more than distract
his enemy and perhaps make him divide his forces. Bahram, however, was
either indifferent as to the fate of the capital, or determined not to
weaken the small army, which was all that he could muster, and on which
his whole dependence was placed. He left Seleucia and Ctesiphon to their
fate. Mebodes and his small force marched southward without meeting
an enemy, obtained possession of Seleucia without a blow after the
withdrawal of the garrison, received the unconditional surrender of
Ctesiphon, made themselves masters of the royal palace and treasures,
proclaimed Chosroes king, and sent to him in his camp the most precious
emblems of the Persian sovereignty. Thus, before engaging with his
antagonist, Chosroes recovered his capital and found his authority once
more recognized in the seat of government.

The great contest had, however, to be decided, not by the loss and gain
of cities, nor by the fickle mood of a populace, but by trial of arms in
the open field. Bahram was not of a temper to surrender his sovereignty
unless compelled by defeat. He was one of the greatest generals of the
age, and, though compelled to fight under every disadvantage, greatly
outnumbered by the enemy, and with troops that were to a large extent
disaffected, he was bent on resisting to the utmost, and doing his best
to maintain his own rights. He seems to have fought two pitched battles
with the combined Romans and Persians, and not to have succumbed until
treachery and desertion disheartened him and ruined his cause. The first
battle was in the plain country of Adiabene, at the foot of the Zagros
range. Here the opposing armies were drawn out in the open field, each
divided into a centre and two wings. In the army of Chosroes the Romans
were in the middle, on the right the Persians, and the Armenians on the
left. Narses, together with Chosroes, held the central position: Bahram
was directly opposed to them. When the conflict began the Romans charged
with such fierceness that Bahram's centre at once gave way; he was
obliged to retreat to the foot of the hills, and take up a position on
their slope. Here the Romans refused to attack him; and Chosroes very
imprudently ordered the Persians who fought on his side to advance up
the ascent. They were repulsed, and thrown into complete confusion; and
the batt