ABSTRACT
Several factors underlay the termination of the longest period of peace the two powers ever enjoyed. The Persian king Kavadh, having only just regained his throne in 498/9 with the assistance of the Hephthalite Huns, had more need now of funds than ever: his allies required payment. The situation was exacerbated by recent changes in the flow of the Tigris in Lower Mesopotamia, sparking famine and floods. When Anastasius again refused to provide any help (in 501 or 502), Kavadh had little choice but to try to gain the money by force. See Morony 1995: 76, Luther 1997: 177-8, Greatrex 1998a: 51-2, 76.
