Ardaburius sent Anatolius to Persarmenia, where he joined the rebels, while Ardaburius entered Persian territory and devastated Arzanene. The general of the Sassanid army, Narses, engaged Ardaburius in battle, but was defeated and forced to retreat. Narses planned to attack Mesopotamia, a Roman province that had been left unguarded, and moved there, but Ardaburius foresaw his enemy's plan and intercepted him there.