He originally served as a cavalryman (aswār) in the garrison of Sisauranon, a frontier stronghold of the Sasanian Empire which was captured by Belisarius.
The small force entered the city, but the rest of the Byzantine army failed to arrive on time.
[2] The Byzantine army retreated towards Faventia and eventually camped next to a stream variously known as Anemo or Lamone.
[2] While the rival armies were preparing for battle, Artabazes was engaged in single combat on horseback against Valaris.
Artabazes accepted the challenge and managed to slay his opponent, but he himself was accidentally wounded in the throat and died three days later.
[2][1] Ultimately, Totila won the Battle of Faventia and even managed to capture the imperial standards.