502 Kobad begins an exhausting war with Rome, which opens the way for the Arabian conquests. He seizes Theodosiopolis, capital of Roman Armenia. 503 Fall of Amida, and terrible massacre of the inhabitants. The Romans recover it the following year. 506 Peace concluded with Rome. The Romans build the great fortress at Dara. 521 War renewed with Rome. Belisarius first comes to the front as a general. Narses and his brother desert Kobad, and join the army of Justin. 529 Mundhir of Hira invades Syria. Kobad massacres the Mazdukites, who have become too powerful. 531 Kobad makes campaign in Syria. Belisarius compels him to turn back. Defeat of Belisarius at Rakka. Persian successes in Mesopotamia. Death of Kobad and truce with Rome. =Khosrau= or =Chosroes (I) the Just=, his son, succeeds. His wise internal government benefits the kingdom greatly. 532 “A Perpetual Peace” made with Rome. 540 Chosroes, jealous of Belisarius’ conquests in Africa and Italy, goes to war with the empire. He invades Syria, Antioch taken, Dara laid under tribute. Ctesiphon is captured. 541 Chosroes takes Petra in Lazistan. 546 Rome buys a truce for a large sum. 551 The son of Chosroes rebels in Susiana. He is taken and partially blinded. 560 The Turks take the right bank of the Oxus from the White Huns. Bactria becomes a part of Chosroes’ kingdom. 562 Fifty years’ peace made with the Romans. 570 Chosroes sends an expedition against the Christian Abyssinians in Yemen. He puts them under tribute. 571 War breaks out with Rome, over the threatened loss of Pers-Armenia. 573 Chosroes takes Dara. The war continues. 579 Death of Chosroes, succeeded by his son, =Hormuz= or =Hormisdas IV=. He makes a severe but just ruler. The war with Rome and a severe one with the Turks fill his reign. 589 The general Bahram, defeated by the Romans in the Caucasus. He is removed by Hormuz, and revolts. The king’s son, Chosroes, joins the rebels. 590 Hormuz is deposed, and shortly afterwards put to death. His son, =Khosrau= or =Chosroes (II) Parvez=, succeeds. Bahram contests the crown, and seizes it. =Bahram= or =Varanes VI= puts down an insurrection in Ctesiphon. 591 Chosroes recovers the throne, with help of the emperor Maurice. Bahram flees to the Turks, and is murdered. Chosroes strengthens his position, and puts his brother, Bindoe to death. Another brother, Bistam, escapes to Media and makes himself king. 595 or 596 Death of Bistam. 604 War breaks out with Rome, over usurpation of Phocas. Dara captured by Chosroes. 606-608 The Persians invade Asia Minor. They advance as far as Chalcedon. 610 Chosroes abolishes the kingdom of Hira. 614 The Persians capture Damascus. 615 The Persians capture Jerusalem and the holy cross.