Earlier, the Sasanian king Kavadh I had ordered a campaign which resulted in a battle at Callinicum. Although the Persians were victorious, the victory was narrow, and no fortress was captured, thus making the campaign inconclusive. Both Belisarius and Azarethes, the Byzantine and Sasanian generals at Callinicum, respectively, were dismissed due to the high casualties of this battle. Emperor Justinian I then appointed Sittas as strategos in charge of the east.