Kawus

Kawus
Kawus
Kavadh I
Mother	Sambice
Religion	Mazdakism

Kawus, recorded as Caoses by

Sasanian emperor of Iran. During the late reign of his father, Kawus was appointed as governor of Tabaristan, and was given the title of Padishkhwargar Shah (king of Padishkhwargar

).

Etymology

Kawus was probably named after the mythical/legendary king

Kay Kawus (Avestan: Kauui Usan). The names of his father and his brothers also suggest a renewed late Sasanian interest in the Iranian legendary history and particularly the Kayanid Dynasty

.

Biography

Kawus might have initially been the

Khosrau, who was known for his support of orthodox Zoroastrianism

, was favoured by the nobles and the Zoroastrian clerics. As a result, Kawus was passed over as the heir and the throne was offered to Khosrau.

During the late reign of his father, Kawus was appointed as governor of Tabaristan around 520 and was given the title of Padishkhwargar Shah (king of Padishkhwargar).^[1] In 532, Kawus aided Khosrau in defeating the Turks, and conquered Ghazni. However, when Kawus returned to Tabaristan after his victory, he rebelled and claimed the Sasanian throne from Khosrau. In order to limit his brother’s base of power, Khosrau ordered the death of Mazdak and many of his prominent followers who supported Kawus. Kawus was defeated and brought to Ctesiphon, where he was given the option to confess his sins or die. He chose death.^[2]

References

^ Pourshariati (2008), p. 288
^ Pourshariati (2008), p. 289

Sources

Pourshariati, Parvaneh (2008). Decline and Fall of the Sasanian Empire: The Sasanian-Parthian Confederacy and the Arab Conquest of Iran. London and New York: I.B. Tauris.
ISBN 978-1-84511-645-3
.

[1] Pourshariati (2008), p. 288

[2] Pourshariati (2008), p. 289

[1]

[2]