16 Facts About Hormizd II

Hormizd II ruled for six years and five months, from 303 to 309.

Hormizd II's reign was marked by internal turmoil, which he successfully managed to deal with.

Hormizd II was successful in his efforts in the west, defeating and killing the Ghassanid king in Syria.

Hormizd II's reign was cut short by the intrigues of the Iranian nobility, who killed him in a secluded place.

Hormizd II was succeeded by his son Adur Narseh, who after a few months of reigning was killed by the nobility.

The name of Hormizd is the Middle Persian version of the name of the supreme deity in Zoroastrianism, known in Avestan as Ahura Mazda.

In 303, Hormizd II ascended the throne, assuming a crown whose features resembled that of the same used by the early Sasanian rulers, such as Bahram II.

Hormizd II then ruled them in the most considerate fashion and behaved in the most equitable manner possible.

Hormizd II was eager to succor and revive the weak, to render the land prosperous and flourishing, and to spread justice among the subjects.

Hormizd II reportedly founded the rural district of Kurang near Izeh in the Khuzistan province.

Hormizd II gave his daughter Hormizddukht in marriage to a Mamikonian prince named Vahan as part of an effort to improve Sasanian relations with Armenia, which had recently under Tiridates III of Armenia declared Christianity as its state religion.

Hormizd II is depicted on horseback, impaling an enemy whose helmet bears the family signature of Papak, a high-ranking nobleman who served as the of Albania during the reign of Bahram II and Narseh.

Hormizd II died in 309, reportedly ambushed by Ghassanid troops whilst he was hunting in the desert.

Hormizd II was more likely killed in a secluded place by the Iranian nobility, who afterwards sought to get rid of his sons as well.

Hormizd II further states that Shapur was born forty days after his father's death, and that the nobles killed Adur Narseh and crowned Shapur II in order to gain greater control of the empire, which they were able to do until Shapur II reached his majority at the age of 16.

Hormizd II was one of the Sasanian kings with the most children, which he had from his wife Ifra-Hormizd, and several other wives and concubines:.