Editing Peroz I (section)

=== Relations with the Byzantine Empire ===
[[Image:Roman-Persian Frontier, 5th century.png|thumb|Map of the Roman-Iranian frontier]]
Early in Peroz's reign, tensions began to rise between Iran and [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantium]]. In the mid-460s, the Byzantines discovered that their general [[Ardabur (consul 447)|Ardaburius]] had been secretly corresponding with the Iranian court, urging Peroz to attack the Byzantines, with the promise of military support and presumably also intelligence. Ardaburius's letters were intercepted and given to Byzantine emperor [[Leo I the Thracian|Leo I]] ({{reign|457|474}}), who had him removed from office and summoned to the capital, [[Constantinople]].{{sfn|Bonner|2020|p=126}} Ardaburius's fate is not known.{{sfn|Bonner|2020|pp=126–127}} Leo responded to the Iranian activity by reinforcing his borders with them, which included the fortification of [[Raqqa|Callinicum]] in [[Syria (region)|Syria]].{{sfn|Bonner|2020|p=127}}

Since the [[Peace of Acilisene|Byzantine–Iranian peace treaty of 387]], both empires had agreed that they were obligated to cooperate in the defense of the [[Caucasus]] against nomadic attacks from the northern steppes.{{sfn|Shayegan|2013|p=809}} The Iranians took the major role in this, while the Byzantines contributed roughly {{convert|500|lb|kg}} of gold at irregular intervals.{{sfn|Payne|2015b|pp=296–298}} The Byzantines saw this payment as a contribution to their mutual defense, but the Iranians saw it as tribute which established Byzantium as a [[Tributary state|subordinate]] of Iran.{{sfn|Payne|2015b|p=298}} Since the foundation of the Sasanian Empire, its rulers had demonstrated the sovereignty and power of their realm through collection of tribute, particularly from the Byzantines.{{sfn|Payne|2016|p=18}} Retaliating for Iran's plot with Ardaburius, Leo stopped the payments. Repeated negotiations failed to resolve the issue.{{sfn|Bonner|2020|p=127}} The Byzantines also appealed for the return of the city of [[Nisibis]], which had been ceded to Iran as part of a treaty in 363.{{sfn|Bonner|2020|p=127}}{{sfn|Daryaee|2014|p=18}} Tensions continued to increase until the accession of the Byzantine emperor [[Zeno (emperor)|Zeno]] ({{reign|474|491}}) in 474, who resumed payment to Iran and also ransomed Peroz from captivity by the Hephthalites.{{sfn|Bonner|2020|pp=127–128}} Regardless, war almost erupted in the early 480s, when some [[Tayy]] clients of the Sasanians made incursions into Byzantine territory due to suffering from a two-year drought. The Iranian general Qardag Nakoragan, who was stationed at the frontier, quickly pacificed the Tayy raiders and ensured peace with the Byzantines.{{sfn|Bonner|2020|p=128}}{{sfn|Greatrex|Lieu|2002|p=49}}