Wuzurgan

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Wuzurgan (

Modern Persian form of Bozorgan (بزرگان), was the name of the high nobility and the third class-rank of the four of the Sasanian aristocracy. After the fall of the Sasanian Empire, they reappear under the Dabuyid dynasty
.

Etymology

The word is the plural form of the word wuzurg (meaning ”big, great”), which is derived from the Old Persian word vazarka, which is in turn derived from the Proto-Indo-European word weǵ (meaning “to be strong, lively, awake”).

History

The Sarab-e Bahram relief of Bahram II surrounded by grandees, Kartir and Papak being on his left.

The wuzurgan are first mentioned in the early Sasanian period and appear in Shapur I's inscription in Hajjiabad. They played an important and prominent role in Sasanian politics, and seem to have held much influence. High-ranking members of the wuzurgan were present at the coronation of the Sasanian kings.[1] Every time there was a dispute about choosing a Sasanian king, the objective of the wuzurgan was to elect a Sasanian king.[1] After the death of Hormizd II in 309, the wuzurgan elected the latter's son Shapur II, who at that time was still in his mother's womb, as the king of the Sasanian Empire. Shapur's death in 379 marked the start of a 125-year conflict between the wuzurgan and the Sasanian kings, who both struggled for power over Iran.[2]

During the reign of

Kavadh I.[6]

Kavadh I, during his reign, began worshiping

Kavadh II.[1][8]

After the death of Kavadh II, the wuzurgan elected the latter's son

Bahman Jadhuyih, who was the head of an army numbering 30,000 of the wuzurgan, defeated the Arabs at the Battle of the Bridge in 634.[9]
Nevertheless, the Arabs won several other victories against the Sasanian Empire, and by 651 had all of Iran under their control.

The wuzurgan are later mentioned during the reign of the Dabuyid ruler Khurshid (r. 740–760), where they along with the local population of Tabaristan were oppressed by Khurshid's general Karin.[10] After the fall of the Dabuyid dynasty in 760, the wuzurgan are no longer mentioned in any sources.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Tafazzoli 1989, p. 427.
  2. ^ Pourshariati 2008, p. 58.
  3. ^ Pourshariati 2008, p. 66.
  4. ^ Pourshariati 2008, p. 384.
  5. ^ Pourshariati 2008, p. 77.
  6. ^ Frye 1984, p. 322.
  7. ^ Pourshariati 2008, p. 123.
  8. ^ Pourshariati 2008, p. 148.
  9. ^ Pourshariati 2008, p. 217.
  10. ^ Pourshariati 2008, pp. 314–315.

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
    .
  • Tafazzoli, Ahmad (1989). "BOZORGĀN". Encyclopaedia Iranica, Vol. IV, Fasc. 4. Ahmad Tafazzoli. p. 427.
  • ISBN 9783406093975
    . The history of ancient iran.
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