Founder and President of the University of Georgia
Director of the Tamaz Beradze Institute of Georgian Studies
Doctor of History, Professor
ORCID: 0009-0000-4798-9758
Abstract
Based on the revised chronology of the life and reign of Vakhtang Gorgasali (471–531 for his lifetime and 493–531 for his reign), the study demonstrates that Leon the antipatos, mentioned in The Life of Vakhtang Gorgasali as an intermediary in peace negotiations between the Byzantine emperor and the Persian shah, was the same person identified by Joshua the Stylite as Leon, the special envoy sent by Emperor Anastasius to Kavadh. Leon delivered to Kavadh the valuable gifts sent by Anastasius.
Keywords: Vakhtang Gorgasali; Leon the antipatos; Byzantine–Persian relations; diplomatic negotiations.