as wintering at Canzaca. The letter which
he addressed to the Roman Emperor on the occasion is partially extant;
but the formal and official tone which it breathes renders it a somewhat
disappointing document. Kobad begins by addressing Heraclius as his
brother, and giving him the epithet of "most clement," thus assuming his
pacific disposition. He then declares, that, having been elevated to the
throne by the especial favor of God, he has resolved to do his utmost to
benefit and serve the entire human race. He has therefore commenced his
reign by throwing open the prison doors, and restoring liberty to
all who were detained in custody. With the same object in view, he is
desirous of living in peace and friendship with the Roman emperor and
state as well as with all other neighboring nations and kings. Assuming
that his accession will be pleasing to the emperor, he has sent Phaeak,
one of his privy councillors, to express the love and friendship that he
feels towards his brother, and learn the terms upon which peace will be
granted him. The reply of Heraclius is lost; but we are able to gather
from a short summary which has been preserved, as well as from the
subsequent course of events, that it was complimentary and favorable;
that it expressed the willingness of the emperor to bring the war to
a close, and suggested terms of accommodation that were moderate and
equitable. The exact formulation of the treaty seems to have been left
to Eustathius, who, after Heraclius had entertained Phaeak royally for
nearly a week, accompanied the ambassador on his return to the Persian
court.

The general principle upon which peace was concluded was evidently the
_status quo ante bellum_. Persia was to surrender Egypt, Palestine,
Syria, Asia Minor, Western Mesopotamia, and any other conquests that she
might have made from Rome, to recall her troops from them, and to give
them back into the possession of the Romans. She was also to surrender
all the captives whom she had carried off from the conquered countries;
and, above all, she was to give back to the Romans the precious relic
which had been taken from Jerusalem, and which was believed on all hands
to be the veritable cross whereon Jesus Christ suffered death. As Rome
had merely made inroads, but not conquests, she did not possess any
territory to surrender; but she doubtless set her Persian prisoners
free, and she made arrangements for the safe conduct and honorable
treatment of