Aetius and the Western Empire

[Robert Vermaat]

In the fifth century at least, the Persian front was quiet--certainly relative to what had transpired in previous centuries. Had there been major fighting there, precluding the interventions in the early 430s (Aspar), in 441, and in 468, historians would probably say Persia prevented the East from recovering North Africa hence was indirectly responsible for the fall of the West.

There was major fighting there (and what historians would say or not will forever remain a mystery) and it did effect actions against the Vandals even though it was not as heavy as the previous century. But keeping the frontier manned and ready would have been a constant worry anyway.

421 - War erupts in Persia (after the death of Yazdegird I), the Alan magister militum Ardabur campaigns against the Sassanid king Varanes (Bahram) V.
441 - Another expedition by Theodosius against the Vandals in Sicily turns back because the Persians invade the Empire.