gems, ancient history, Roman history, Greek history, Turkey, Constantinople, Persia, Justin II

In the late 560s, a Turkish embassy arrived in Constantinople at the court of Justin II. The Turks had just broken off relations with the Persians and were eager to enter into an alliance with the Romans. The emperor, having read through the letter from the Turkish ruler Sizabul brought by the embassy, proceeded to ask questions of the legation. He asked to know more about the Hephthalites, the powerful nation which the Turks claimed to have just conquered, and about the Avars, who had recently revolted from Turkish overlordship. Upon receiving their replies, Justin concluded an alliance with the Turks. It was a fateful development, for, buoyed up by this alliance, Justin soon reopened hostilities with Persia, ushering in a conflict which would last twenty years.