27 Facts About Bahram Chobin

Bahram Chobin earned an elevated position in Iran due to his noble descent, character, skills, and accomplishments.

The Sasanian king Hormizd IV was already distrustful of Bahram Chobin and stripped the increasingly popular general of his commands.

Bahram Chobin began a rebellion aiming to reestablish the "more rightful" Arsacid Empire, identifying himself with the promised savior of the Zoroastrian faith.

Bahram Chobin was assassinated shortly thereafter at the instigation of Khosrow II, who was then the shah.

Bahram Chobin's legacy survived even after the Arab conquest of Iran among Iranian nationalists, as well as in the Persian literature.

Bahram Chobin's appearance was emphasized by the Persian poet Ferdowsi, who in his Shahnameh, described Bahram as a towering and dark-complexioned warrior with black curly hair.

Bahram Chobin was a member of the House of Mihran, one of the seven Great Houses of Iran.

Bahram Chobin had three siblings whom were named: Gordiya, Gorduya and Mardansina.

Bahram Chobin originally started his career as marzban of Ray, but in 572 he commanded a cavalry force and took part in the siege and capture of the key Byzantine stronghold of Dara and was promoted to army chief of the "North".

Bahram Chobin then proceeded to cross the Oxus river and won a decisive victory over Turks, personally killing Bagha Qaghan with an arrowshot.

Bahram Chobin managed to reach as far as Baykand, near Bukhara, and contain an attack by the son of the deceased Khagan, Birmudha, whom Bahram had captured and sent to the Sasanian capital of Ctesiphon.

Bahram Chobin was later made commander of the Sasanian forces against the Byzantines , and successfully defeated a Byzantine force in Georgia.

Hormizd, who was jealous of Bahram Chobin, used this defeat as an excuse to dismiss him from his office, and had him humiliated.

Hormizd's minister Azen Gushnasp, who was reportedly jealous of Bahram Chobin, accused him of having kept the best part of the booty for himself and only sending a small part to Hormizd.

Enraged, Bahram Chobin, who was still in the east, rebelled against Hormizd.

The version of Bahram Chobin rebelling after his defeat against the Byzantines was supported by Noldeke in 1879.

However, a source found ten years later confirmed Bahram Chobin's rebellion took in fact place while he was still in the east.

Bahram Chobin, infuriated by Hormizd's actions, responded by rebelling, and due to his noble status and great military knowledge, was joined by his soldiers and many others.

Bahram Chobin then appointed a new governor for Khorasan, and afterwards set for Ctesiphon.

Bahram Chobin declared himself king of kings in the summer of 590, asserting that the first Sasanian king Ardashir I had usurped the throne of the Arsacids, and that he now was restoring their rule.

Bahram Chobin was to re-establish the Arsacid Empire and commenced a new millennium of dynastic rule.

Bahram Chobin started minting coins, where he is on the front imitated as an exalted figure, bearded and wearing a crenellation-shaped crown with two crescents of the moon, whilst the reverse shows the traditional fire altar flanked by two attendants.

Bahram Chobin then sent a message to Maurice, and requested his help to regain the Sasanian throne, which the Byzantine emperor agreed with; in return, the Byzantines would re-gain sovereignty over the cities of Amida, Carrhae, Dara and Martyropolis.

Bahram Chobin was then defeated at the Battle of Blarathon, forcing him to flee with 4,000 men eastwards.

Bahram Chobin entered his service, and was appointed as a commander in the army, achieving further military accomplishments there.

Bahram Chobin became a highly popular figure after saving the Khagan from a conspiracy instigated by the latter's brother Byghu.

Khosrow II could not feel safe as long as Bahram Chobin lived, and succeeded in having him assassinated.