The collection of manuscripts known as the Epistulae Wisigothicae informs us about the content of part of the epistles exchanged by the Byzantine Patricius Caesarius, probably Governor of Byzantine Hispania, c. 612-617, and King Sisebut, on the occasion of the negotiations concerning a peace agreement between both realms, the Visigothic Kingdom and the Byzantine Empire, ruled at that time by Emperor Heraclius. Three Byzantine epistles are preserved, written by Caesarius, and a Visigothic one by Sisebut; yet their text reveals that the latter could still have sent one more to the former.

The quote heading the present study is extracted from the only epistle we preserve sent by King Sisebut to the Patricius Caesarius. In it, the Visigoth agreed to start negotiations in order to sign a peace treaty between both powers; this corroborates a situation already suggested by other sources: by that time, they were militarily confronted. A peace agreement seems to have been repeatedly requested by the Emperor, according to the first epistle sent by Caesarius to Sisebut. As can be deduced from its content and from the previously mentioned epistle by the Visigothic King, Sisebut was the one who refused to start such negotiations. Nonetheless, at some point, he agreed to come to terms. Precisely for that reason, the way in which Sisebut introduced his legate Ansemundus is so meaningful to us.

Sisebut asked Caesarius to trust Ansemundus, to receive him without prejudice, fear or suspicion. This clearly shows that, despite the imperial request, there must still have been hesitation concerning Sisebut's decision.