Ending 2014 In The Court Of The Persians

In the wake of Peroz's defeat at the battle of Herat nearly all of the Sassanian nobles and royal family were wiped out, lucky enough Kavadh was a guest (hostage) of the Hephthalite Huns and was spared Peroz's fate.

Kavadh was later rescued by a Persian statesman Sukhra, he would return to capture his throne from his uncle Balash with the help of the Hephthalites. Balash would eventually be deposed, blinded and exiled.

It was said that in reality, Sukhra controlled all aspects of the Empire with the exception of wearing the crown. Sukhra's power did not go unnoticed and with help of Shapur of Rayy he defeated the Sukhra's loyalists and eventually had him captured and executed.

Kavadh supported a communist movement in Persia lead by Mazdak who taught the belief that the rich should share their wealth and their wives with the poor. Saying there was not enough women for the poor and the rich lived a polygamous life in the extreme. Mazdak fell out of favor with Kavadh and the teaching refuted,. In 529 AD Mazdak was hunted down and executed.

In need of money to pay the Hephthalites for their service he approached the Romans for a hand out, stingy Anastasius said, "Nope!" This forced Kavadh to attempt to take the money by any means. Collectively called the Anastasian War, few short lived territorial exchanges resulted in little permanent gain. In 505 AD Huns invaded Armenia and the Romans and Persians sought a mutual armistice.

Kavadh appealed yet again to the Romans, this time Romans ruled by Justin I, refused to adopt Khusro I, the heir apparent of Persia. Fighting broke out between the Romans and the Persians in 524 AD. Fighting would abruptly come to an end with the death of Kavadh in 531 AD.

Khusro I, would succeed him after several attempts made by family members to steal the throne. Khusro I did what any ancient king would do...have everyone executed!


Kavadh I Second Reign (498-531 AD)
Rayy, Iran (DYNAW)
Dated yr. 33 (521 AD)
AR Drachm 27 mm x 4.08 grams
Obverse: Bust of Kavad I single boarder Stars and Mood ornaments.
Reverse: Date and Mint. Zoroastrian Fire Alter flanked by attendants. Double border reverse.
Ref: Gobl III/2 Type 190.
Note: Beautiful toning. Superb Example. First year of Double boarder reverse.