Page "Lazic War" Paragraph 5

After the death of Mermeroes, Nachoragan was appointed the Persian commander-in-chief in 555.

He repulsed the Byzantine attack on the Persian positions at Onoguris and forced the enemy out of Archaeopolis, a city which Mermeroes had twice tried and failed to take.

These defeats caused a bitter feud between the Lazic and Byzantine generals.

King Gubazes quarreled with Byzantine commanders Bessas, Martin, and Rusticus, complaining to emperor Justinian.

Bessas was recalled, but Rusticus and his brother John eventually murdered Gubazes.

The Lazi people got the Emperor to nominate Tzathes, the younger brother of Gubazes, as their new king, and Senator Athanasius investigated the assassination.

Rusticus and John were arrested, tried, and executed.

In 556, the allies retook Archaeopolis and routed the Persian general Nachoragan in his abortive attack on Phasis.

In the autumn and winter of the same year, the Byzantines suppressed a rebellion staged by the mountain tribe of the Misimians, and finally expelled the Persians from the country.