... have caused such an upheaval. The 5th century saw the two great powers of the era utilising a new form of conflict resolution. Instead of going to war over even minor grievances, we see both sides exercising caution before embarking on military aggression. For example, the Romans did not take the opportunity to attack when the Sasanians persecuted Christians in 449 - 51, or when the Sasanians suffered internal crises, such as the death of Peroz at the hands of the Hephthalites in 484. Roman contemporary writers, such as Dio, may well have suggested that the Sasanian Empire was intent on expanding into Roman territory, but the evidence suggests otherwise. The Sasanians showed restraint when the Roman Empire faced problems with the Visgoths, Ostrogoths and notably Atilla's Huns. These examples help to highlight the lack of expansionist aims on either side. The Romans showed little propensity for expansion. Expansionist wars ...

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