Bahram V

Lore & Background

Bahram V's reign was generally peaceful, with two brief wars—first against the Eastern Roman Empire, and then against the Kidarites. During his reign, the Arsacid line of Armenia was replaced by a marzban, marking the start of the Marzpanate period. He is remembered for canceling taxes and public debt at celebratory events, encouraging musicians, and enjoying hunting. He was succeeded by his son Yazdegerd II.

Reader's Guide

Bahram V is a central figure in Persian literature, appearing in Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, Nizami Ganjavi's Haft Peykar, and Amir Khusrau's Hasht-Behesht. His name derives from the Old Iranian god of victory, Verethragna. He was born around 400, reportedly in Rusan near Spahan, to Yazdegerd I and Shushandukht, a daughter of the Jewish exilarch. He was sent to the Lakhmid court as a youth, where he was taught law, archery, and equestrian arts.

After his father's murder, he marched to Ctesiphon with a Lakhmid army and, according to legend, won the throne by killing two lions. He was the first Sasanian shah crowned by a chief priest rather than a noble. He married an Indian princess and received the port of Debal in Sind as a dowry. He settled the Zutt (Jats) from Sind in the marshes of southern Iraq.