Ardeshir III (Nov. 628 to Apr 629)

Coin of the young Ardeshir III

Internecine fights

Shiroy, ruled for a brief period of ten months, after which his son Ardeshir was made the king at the young age of just seven years. Piruz-Khushru, a minister, was appointed his care-taker. The boy king assured his ministers of a just and peaceful reign. He appointed king Khushru’s son Firuz as the commander of the army.

When Shahrbarāz came to know about the death of both Khushru and Shiroy, he saw an opportunity to usurp the kingdom. He wrote to Firuz, the army’s commander to kill Ardeshir, and then he would be made the king. Firuz did not like this idea and declined. Then Shahrbarāz went to seek the help of the Roman king Heraclius, who readily obliged.

Firuz, however had second thoughts. He followed Shahrbarāz’s suggestion, and when King Ardeshir was alone, strangled him to death. The young king ruled only for six months. When Shahrbarāz got this news, he came with Heraclius and a huge army towards Ctesiphon, and announced himself the new king of Iran.

Shahrbarāz (Apr 629 to June 629)

Shahrbaraz on his coin

After assuming the throne, Shahrbarāz announced that he was starting a new dynasty and that after him his children will continue. Shahrbarāz had become close to Heraclius over a period of time, and is believed to have embraced Christianity. Such was the Roman influence, that he named his son Niketas and daughter Nike. He had his daughter Nike and grand-daughter Gregoria married to Heraclius’ sons Constantine and Theodosius. However, Shahrbarāz himself married an Iranian princess Āzar in a bid to attract the loyalty of the Iranian nobility.

Shahrbarāz was a military general and hence new to administration. He had never witnessed so much wealth and did not know how to manage the royal treasures. He splurged the money on wine, food and expensive golden, silver and jewel-studded utensils. He gave large and disproportionate amounts as gifts and awards to courtiers and soldiers. In a very short time, the royal treasury was almost empty.

He spent most of his time drinking, eating, merry-making and sleeping. At the smallest pretext he would mete out death penalties, sometimes even to innocent people. Hence he was much disliked by the ministers and the people.

Finally people got fed up of him, and decided to bring his end. A warrior by the name Shehrān-gurāz took it upon himself to kill him. All the courtiers supported him. One day when Shahrbarāz had gone hunting, Shehrān-gurāz took the opportunity, shot an arrow and killed him. Shahrbarāz’s corpse was dragged to Ctesiphon to give a lesson to anyone not of royal descent, to try and secure the throne of Iran.