Relations between the Sassanid state and Byzantium and their influence on the Arab tribes

Abstract

The Arabs became an important element in the plans of the great powers in the conflict between the Sassanians and the Byzantines. The Arab tribes had a distinct position on the Byzantine-Sasanian borders, and the participation of the Arab tribes in the wars taking place between the two countries was limited to extending a helping hand or rejecting it to this or that party. Likewise, both sought to The Sassanian and Byzantine state extended political and economic influence over some regions in the Arab countries. The Byzantine-Sasanian conflict also formed different aspects over the long centuries. The Byzantine-Sasanian conflict and the entry of the Arabs as a third party in this conflict led to continuous wars between the two parties, in which the Arabs were partners. Both the Sassanians and Byzantines realized the benefits they gained from their alliance with the Arab tribes in securing the borders of their state from Bedouin raids, It is possible to benefit from them in their wars with each other.

One of the features of the conflict between the two major countries is also that conflict in places far from their borders. If it reaches the limit, those countries are forced to stand firmly and firmly in front of it, if they have the resolve and strength due to the difficulty of their regular armies pursuing it, so they intend to appease the masters of the large Arab tribes, with gifts. And tempting financial grants, privileges and titles to guard and monitor the borders, and track down the tribes that might dare to invade the borders, taking advantage of weaknesses and loopholes. The Sassanids resorted to the Manadhirs, and the Byzantines resorted to the Ghassanids later to carry out this task.