In 590, Sasanian Shah Hormizd IV grew envious of the growing fame of his military commander, Bahram Chobin.

After Bahram suffered a relatively minor defeat in a battle with the Byzantines on the banks of the Aras, Hormizd dismissed the general from his position and humiliated him by sending him a chain and a spindle to show that he considered him as a low slave "as ungrateful as a woman"[1] During the summer of 590 with the support of his devoted troops and other veterans, Bahram marched upon the Sasanian capital in rebellion against the ungrateful Shah.

As a result and in exchange for territorial concessions, Maurice provided Khosrow with an army of 40,000 warriors commanded by Byzantine generals John Mystacon and Narses.

Additionally, Khosrow agreed to a new partition of the Caucasus in which the Sassanians ceded many cities, including Armavir (Armaouira), Manzikert, Baguana, Valarsakert, Bagaran, Vardkesavan, Ani, Kars, and Zarisat to the Byzantines.

Most of the Kingdom of Iberia, including the cities of Ardahan, Lori, Dmanisi, Lomsia, Mtskheta, and Tontio became Byzantine dependencies.