Yazdgard I and the Lakhmids

Abstract

In the sources based upon Iranian stories going back to Sasanid times King Yazdgard I (400–420) appears as a tyrant who cruelly persecuted the aristocracy. This image rather reflects the aristocracy’s perception of Yazdgard’s policy. Yazdgard became king after a harsh struggle for power, with the support of a part of the aristocracy. Later on, a struggle for actual power began between Yazdgard and the aristocracy. On gradually gaining strength, Yazdgard took the upper hand over the aristocracy and attempted to compel it to serve the royal power, but he never tried to destroy it. The aristocracy, including the influential families of Surens and Mihrans, was hostile to Yazdgard but did not go into a confrontation with him. Yazdgard relied on individuals from different groups of aristocracy, in particular, the Lakhmids, rulers of al-Hira and vassals of the Sasanids. The Lakhmids were entrusted with the fostering of prince Varahran, son of Yazdgard and future king Varahran V Gor (421–440). In some sources not al-Numаn I (402–431), then the ruler of al-Hira, but his son al-Mundhir appears as Varahrans tutor. However, a comparative study of the evidence with due regard for the historical context suggest that in 402 Yazdgard appointed al-Numаn the ruler of al-Hira and simultaneously ordered him to foster Varahran. This explains why it is stated in some accounts that Yazdgard, while appointing al-Mundhir (actually, al-Numаn I) as the princes tutor, bestowed the title of the king of the Arabs, i.e., king of al-Hira, on him.