ABSTRACT
Khusro, presumably again in spring, directed his next invasion at Edessa. Despite initial losses, he energetically laid siege to the city, erecting a huge mound to tower over the walls; elephants were also employed in the operations. Attempts by the defenders, and in particular a doctor, Stephanus, who had served Kavadh, to induce the king to raise the siege proved vain (Proc. II.26.1-46, VIII.14.35-7). The defenders destroyed the Persian mound by undermining it and then setting fire to it (II.27.1-17),56 and so another Persian attack was brought to nothing. Further assaults had no more success, and negotiations were begun; a Roman envoy, Rhecinarius, had arrived during the siege. The Edessenes paid five centenaria to Khusro, and the Persians departed after nearly two months (II.27.18-46, Chr.1234 56, 192-3 [below]). See Bury 1923: II, 107-10.
