Shahrbaraz
Encyclopedia
Shahrbaraz or Shahrwaraz (died June 9, 630) was a general, with the rank of Eran Spahbod (Commander of the Army of Iran) under Khosrau II
(590–628). His name was Farrokhan, and Shahrbaraz was his title. It means "the Boar of the Empire", attesting to his dexterity in military command and his warlike persona, as the boar was the animal associated with the Zoroastrian Izad
Vahram
, the epitome of victory.
Shahrbaraz took Damascus
and Jerusalem from the Byzantine Empire
in 613 and 614 respectively, and the Holy Cross
was carried away in triumph. However, during Heraclius
' (610–641) campaign in the Persian Empire
in the 620s, mutual suspicion arose between Khosrau II and Shahrbaraz. Byzantine agents showed Shahrbaraz letters indicating that Khosrau II was planning the general's execution. This kept one of the main Persian armies and its best general neutral during this crucial period, speeding the end of the war and the Byzantine victory
.
Following the Persian surrender, Shahrbaraz was heavily involved in the intrigues of the Sassanian court. On April 27, 630, he killed Ardashir III of Persia (628–630) and became the twenty-fifth ruler of the Sassanian Empire. He made peace with Heraclius and returned to him a relic that was accepted as the True Cross
. In April 630 he failed to deal with the invasion of Armenia
by a Khazar-Gokturk force under Chorpan Tarkhan
. On June 9, 630 Shahrbaraz was slain, and Purandokht succeeded him.
Khosrau II
250px|thumb|Khosrau II 250px|thumb|Khosrau II 250px|thumb|Khosrau II (Khosrow II, Chosroes II, or Xosrov II in classical sources, sometimes called Parvez, "the Ever Victorious" – (in Persian: خسرو پرویز), was the twenty-second Sassanid King of Persia, reigning from 590 to 628...
(590–628). His name was Farrokhan, and Shahrbaraz was his title. It means "the Boar of the Empire", attesting to his dexterity in military command and his warlike persona, as the boar was the animal associated with the Zoroastrian Izad
Yazata
Yazata is the Avestan language word for a Zoroastrian concept. The word has a wide range of meanings but generally signifies a divinity...
Vahram
Vahram
Verethragna is an Avestan language neuter noun literally meaning "smiting of resistance" . Representing this concept is the divinity Verethragna, who is the hypostasis of "victory", and "as a giver of victory Verethragna plainly enjoyed the greatest popularity of old" .The neuter noun verethragna...
, the epitome of victory.
Shahrbaraz took Damascus
Damascus
Damascus , commonly known in Syria as Al Sham , and as the City of Jasmine , is the capital and the second largest city of Syria after Aleppo, both are part of the country's 14 governorates. In addition to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Damascus is a major...
and Jerusalem from the Byzantine Empire
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
in 613 and 614 respectively, and the Holy Cross
True Cross
The True Cross is the name for physical remnants which, by a Christian tradition, are believed to be from the cross upon which Jesus was crucified.According to post-Nicene historians, Socrates Scholasticus and others, the Empress Helena The True Cross is the name for physical remnants which, by a...
was carried away in triumph. However, during Heraclius
Heraclius
Heraclius was Byzantine Emperor from 610 to 641.He was responsible for introducing Greek as the empire's official language. His rise to power began in 608, when he and his father, Heraclius the Elder, the exarch of Africa, successfully led a revolt against the unpopular usurper Phocas.Heraclius'...
' (610–641) campaign in the Persian Empire
Byzantine-Sassanid War of 602–628
The Byzantine–Sassanid War of 602–628 was the final and most devastating of the series of wars fought between the Roman Empire and the Sassanid Empire. The previous war had ended in 591 after Emperor Maurice had helped the Sassanian king Khosrau II regain his throne. In 602, Maurice was murdered...
in the 620s, mutual suspicion arose between Khosrau II and Shahrbaraz. Byzantine agents showed Shahrbaraz letters indicating that Khosrau II was planning the general's execution. This kept one of the main Persian armies and its best general neutral during this crucial period, speeding the end of the war and the Byzantine victory
Battle of Nineveh (627)
The Battle of Nineveh was the climactic battle of the Byzantine-Sassanid War of 602–628. The Byzantine victory broke the power of the Sassanid dynasty and for a period of time restored the empire to its ancient boundaries in the Middle East...
.
Following the Persian surrender, Shahrbaraz was heavily involved in the intrigues of the Sassanian court. On April 27, 630, he killed Ardashir III of Persia (628–630) and became the twenty-fifth ruler of the Sassanian Empire. He made peace with Heraclius and returned to him a relic that was accepted as the True Cross
True Cross
The True Cross is the name for physical remnants which, by a Christian tradition, are believed to be from the cross upon which Jesus was crucified.According to post-Nicene historians, Socrates Scholasticus and others, the Empress Helena The True Cross is the name for physical remnants which, by a...
. In April 630 he failed to deal with the invasion of Armenia
Armenia
Armenia , officially the Republic of Armenia , is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia...
by a Khazar-Gokturk force under Chorpan Tarkhan
Chorpan Tarkhan
Chorpan Tarkhan is recorded by Moses of Kalankatuyk as a Khazar general, "bloodthirsty and vile", who invaded and devastated Armenia in April 630 CE. He was most likely an officer in the army of the Western Gokturks led by Böri Shad in the wake of Ziebel's victory in the Third Persian-Turkic War...
. On June 9, 630 Shahrbaraz was slain, and Purandokht succeeded him.