Nachoragan is appointed the Persian commander-in-chief after the death of Mihr-Mihroe in 555.

He repulses the imperial attack on the Persian positions at Onoguris and forces the enemy out of Archaeopolis, a city which Mermeroes had twice tried and failed to take.

These defeats cause a bitter feud between the Lazic and imperial generals.

Over the past two years, Constantinople has increased its forces in Lazica, but failed to achieve decisive success; Gubazes had quarreled with their generals, and written to Emperor Justinian accusing them of incompetence following a defeat by the Persians.

Bessas had been recalled, but the other two, Martin and the sacellarius Rusticus, had resolved to get rid of Gubazes.

They sent a message to Constantinople accusing Gubazes of dealings with the Persians.

Emperor Justinian, intending to question Gubazes himself, had authorized the two generals to arrest him, using force if necessary.

In September/October 555, the two generals invite Gubazes to observe the siege of a Persian-held fort, but when they meet, John, Rusticus's brother, stabs the king with his dagger.

Gubazes falls from his horse, and one of Rusticus's servants gives him the finishing blow.

After Gubazes's murder, the Lazi stop participating in operations against the Persians for a time, leading to the failure of a Byzantine attack against the fort of Onoguris.

An assembly of the Lazic people informs Emperor Justinian of the events, requested that an investigation be launched, and asked that Gubazes's younger brother Tzath, at this time residing in Constantinople, be confirmed as their new ruler.

The emperor complies with their requests: a "leading senator" named Athanasius (perhaps the former praetorian prefect of the same name) is dispatched to investigate Gubazes's murder, and Tzath is sent to assume the Lazic throne.

Athanasius's investigation clears Gubazes of any suspicion of treachery; Rusticus and his brother John are found guilty and executed in autumn 556, but Martin is simply deposed from his post.