9. Theophanes Confessor[125], The Chronicle[126]

[125] Theophanes Confessor, was a member of the Byzantine aristocracy, who became a monk and chronicler. He is venerated on March 12 in the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church.

[126] Theophanes’ chronicle of world events, covering events from the accession of Diocletian in 284 to the downfall of Michael I Rhangabes in 813, is valuable for preserving the accounts of lost authorities on Byzantine history that would be otherwise lost for the seventh and eighth centuries.

9.1 AM 5967 [AD 474/5]

9.1.1 Perozes campaigned against the Nephthalite Huns[127] and having routed them went in pursuit. But they, making their escape in small groups along the narrow passes in the mountains, retreating to right and left, got themselves behind the Persians and blockaded them through their lack of precaution. In these straits Perozes begged for peace. The emperor of the Nephthalites would not do this before Perozes fell down before him, made obeisance and gave assurances on oath that he would never again campaign against the Nephthalites. Perozes, constrained by force, was compelled to do this and retreated in great dishonour. But unable to bear the shame, he campaigned against them once more, disregarding his oaths.79

[127] Nephthalite Huns are simply the Hephthalite Huns.

9.2 AM 5968 [AD 475/6]

9.2.1 In the same year Perozes went on campaign once more against the White Huns, known as Nephthalites, and perished with his entire army. For the Nephthalites dug a deep ditch, placed reeds over it, covered it with earth, and then stayed behind it. They sent out a few men to meet the Persians and then turned in flight, crossed the narrow passes one by one and fled together with all the others. The Persians, not suspecting any danger, rashly pursued them and they all, including Perozes and his sons, fell into the pit and perished. When Perozes perceived the danger, he removed the huge, brilliantly white pearl he had in his right ear (it was exceedingly costly) and threw it away so that no one after him would wear it, since it was most remarkable; no other emperor had ever before possessed anything like it. So Perozes was destroyed with all his army. Those who had not campaigned with Perozes chose Kabades as emperor, the younger son of Perozes. The barbarians ruled the Persians for two years to collect their tribute.80

9.2.2 Kabades, rashly using his office, decreed that women were to be had in common. So the Persians deprived him of office, bound him, and put him in prison.[128] They made Perozesʼ brother Blases, also called Valas[129], their emperor because there were no other sons of Perozes. Kabadesʼ wife looked after him in prison. The governor of the prison fell in love with her because of her beauty. Kabades encouraged his wife to give in to the man, in case it enabled him to escape from the fort. This she did and was then able to visit and tend Kabades unhindered. A friend of Kabades, named Seoses, sent a message to Kabades through his wife that he had horses and men ready in a certain village. When night came on, Kabades persuaded his wife to give him her clothes and for her to put on his clothes and remain in the prison. So Kabades got out of prison, escaped the notice of the guards, and, when he was some distance from the prison, mounted a horse and went with Seoses to the Nephthalite Huns. Their emperor gave him his daughter in marriage and having also given him a large army sent him with it against the Persians.[130] The guards, seeing the woman dressed in Kabadesʼ clothes, supposed for several days that Kabades was in prison. Kabades invaded Persia with his army of Huns and gained control of the empire without difficulty. He blinded Blases, also called Valas, put him in prison, and kept the empire securely for himself, for he was shrewd and energetic.[131] After that he ruled eleven years.81

[128] This presumably refers to Kavadʼs period in exile [496-498] with the Hephthalite Huns after being dethroned, probably for taking revolutionary measures inspired by Mazdakite beliefs (women in common?). His brother Zamasp was emperor in his place.82

[129] Valas (Oualas, Balas, Blases) in fact succeeded Peroz, as Theophanesʼ chronological lists also show, reigning four years [484-488] until he was overthrown by Kavad. Theophanesʼ error may have come from Procopius (I, v, 2)83, who also confuses Blases with Zamasp.84

[130] Kavadʼs periods of rule were 488-498 (with a period in exile from 496 to 498) and 498-531. Theophanesʼ figure of eleven years is taken from his chronological list of Persian kings which he shares with Agathias (IV, xxviii-xxix)85, and ought to have included the period in exile during Zamaspʼs interregnum. But the chronological lists of both Theophanes and Agathias give Kavad eleven years before Zamaspʼs interregnum (which is given as four years, am 5984-5987), and then a further 30 years [am 5988-6017 i.e., 495/6 to 524/5], which still leaves Theophanes six years short of the true date.86

[131] Cf. Procopius, I, vi (= A.2.3).