From Shapur II's death until
Kavadh I's first coronation, there was a largely peaceful period with the Romans (by this time the
Eastern Roman or
Byzantine Empire), interrupted only by two brief wars, the first in 421–422 and the second in 440. Throughout this era, Sassanid religious policy differed dramatically from king to king. Despite a series of weak leaders, the administrative system established during Shapur II's reign remained strong, and the empire continued to function effectively.
After Shapur II died in 379, he left a powerful empire to his half-brother
Ardashir II (379–383; son of Vahram of Kushan) and his son
Shapur III (383–388), neither of whom demonstrated his predecessor's talent. Ardashir II, who was raised as the "half-brother" of the emperor, failed to fill his brother's shoes, and Shapur III was too much of a melancholy character to achieve anything.
Bahram IV (388–399), although not as inactive as his father, still failed to achieve anything important for the empire. During this time Armenia was divided by treaty between the Roman and Sassanid empires. The Sassanids reestablished their rule over Greater Armenia, while the Byzantine Empire held a small portion of western Armenia.
Bahram IV's son
Yazdegerd I (399–421) is often compared to
Constantine I. Like him, he was powerful both physically and diplomatically. Much like his Roman counterpart, Yazdegerd I was opportunistic. Like Constantine the Great, Yazdegerd I practiced religious tolerance and provided freedom for the rise of religious minorities. He stopped the persecution against the Christians and even punished nobles and priests who persecuted them. His reign marked a relatively peaceful era. He made lasting peace with the Romans and even took the young
Theodosius II (408–450) under his guardianship OTL. He also married a Jewish princess who bore him a son called Narsi.
The current Shahanshah is
Bahram V (421-438 OTL) one of the most well-known Sassanid kings and the hero of many myths. These myths persisted even after the destruction of the Sassanid empire by the Arabs. Bahram V, better known as
Bahram-e Gur, gained the crown after Yazdegerd I's sudden death (or assassination) against the opposition of the grandees with the help of
al-Mundhir, the Arabic dynast of
al-Hirah. Bahram V's mother was Soshandukht, the daughter of the Jewish
Exilarch. In 427, he crushed an invasion in the east by the nomadic
Hephthalites, extending his influence into Central Asia, where his portrait survived for centuries on the coinage of
Bukhara (in modern
Uzbekistan). Bahram V deposed the vassal King of the Persian part of
Armenia and made it a province.
Bahram V is a great favorite in Persian tradition, which relates many stories of his valor and beauty, of his victories over the Romans,
Turkic peoples, Indians and Africans, and of his adventures in hunting and in love; he is called Bahram-e Gur,
Gur meaning
onager, on account of his love for hunting and, in particular, hunting onagers. He symbolized a king at the height of a golden age. He had won his crown by competing with his brother and spent time fighting foreign enemies, but mostly kept himself amused by hunting and court parties with his famous band of ladies and courtiers. He embodied royal prosperity. During his time, the best pieces of
Sassanid literature were written, notable pieces of
Sassanid music were composed, and sports such as
polo became royal pastimes, a tradition that continues to this day in many kingdoms.
Also let me know if you have any questions relating to Sassanid Armies, culture, religion or administration. Now, what will Bahram V do differently ITTL? Will he live longer? What will his sucessor, Yazdegerd II do? Will Manichaeism prosper ITTL? Would the weakness of Arcadius prompt an invasion of Syria? Only time will tell.
