ABSTRACT
The fall of Dara affected the Emperor Justin severely; he became insane, although he retained occasional moments of lucidity. Henceforth effective control of affairs was in the hands of Tiberius, assisted by Justin’s wife Sophia. Early in 574 they received an embassy from Khusro, seeking to renew negotiations; Sophia replied by despatching Zachariah as an ambassador (Menander frg.18.1). At the same time Tiberius undertook an extensive recruitment drive, mainly in the Balkans, to bolster the Roman forces in the East, while Justinian was appointed magister militum per Orientem and given overall command of the whole eastern front (Th. Sim. III.12.3-4, Evagr. HE V.14 [209.27-210.2]).1
