Wolves of the Steppe: A History of the Gothic State and their World

xiǎo dòng bù bǔ, dà dòng chī kǔ ("Destroy the seed of evil, or it will grow up to your ruin")
Jiŭ fā xīn fù zhī yán ("In wine, there is truth")

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Fu Jian in battle dress

Upon arrival in Chang'an, the prime minister Wang Meng experienced a severe bout of illness, but which fortunately passed, keeping him bedridden for little over a month[1]. During Wang Meng's official tenure as Prime Minister, Qin policy became even more aggressive. In the Autumn of 376, Fu Jian launched a major attack on Later Liang. Zhang Tianxi's generals were largely dissatisfied by their Prince's installation of young favourites in his court regime. Those who didn't join their peers in defecting zschlowiyn vyl[2] were rapidly defeated. Later Liang resistance collapsed in less than a month, and the kingdom was annexed into Great Qin.

Only two months after the conquest of Later Liang, Fu Jian launched a campaign against the Dai kingdom, which was embroiled in turmoil after the assassination of Tuoba Shiyijian by his son Tuoba Shijun. The campaign was rapid, perfectly timed to take advantage of the instability of the Dai state. Fu Jian did show some mercy, allowing Tuoba Gui (Tuoba Shiyijian's grandson) to remain under the care of Xiongnu chief Liu Kuren and was groomed to become the eventual heir to the Dai throne, whose task it would be to maintain the loyalty of the Dai people to Great Qin.

In 378, Fu Jian sent his son Fu Pi along with Murong Wei and Gou Chang to attack the important Jin border city of Xiangyang. At Gou's suggestion, Fu Pi ordered that the city be put under siege to minimise troop losses. Whilst Fu Jian was unhappy about the slow pace, Wang Meng reasoned with him that the less soldiers lost now would make it significantly easier to consolidate gains for the next round of conquest[3]. Xiangyang fell in 380, followed quickly by Weixing. However, another army sent to support Fu Pi and led by Peng Chao was defeated by the Jin general Xie Xuan after capturing Pengcheng. The Great Qin forces were therefore forced to withdraw from that city.

In 380, Fu Luo (Fu Jian's cousin and the Gong of Xingtang), who felt insufficiently rewarded for his victories against Dai in 376, rebelled, but was quickly defeated and captured by general Lu Guang. Fu Jian followed Wang Meng's recommendation to bring the rebel back to Chang'an and have him executed in front of the courtiers, proof that even family weren't above punishment for treasonous acts[4].

As if an omen for the times of internal trouble that were yet to come, 382 saw a major locust infestation in You, Qing, Ji and Bing provinces. Although the Great Qin state responded with a relatively effective extermination campaign, it was nevertheless retroactively seen as an omen for the Great Xianbei Rebellion[5]. But in the latter half of 382, Fu Jian was preoccupied with planning for an attack on the Jin. Many of the major officials opposed the plan, but the Xianbei chieftain Murong Chui and the Qiang chieftain Yao Chang were enthusiastic about a large-scale campaign against the Jin. Wang Meng was a bit more measured. He was not opposed to another border war against Jin, but felt it should be limited to a seizure of cities along the Yangtze tributaries, which he saw as the natural border with Jin.

In 383, Fu Jian finally launched his great campaign against Jin, with the armies under the personal command of Wang Meng[6]. Great Qin forces seized the city of Shouyang, but stalemated at the Fei River, a tributary of the Yangtze. Opposing the Great Qin forces was Liu Laozhi and the Jin harjatuga Xie Xuan[7]. After a number of indecisive skirmishes, peace was concluded, with Great Qin retaining Shouyang and the rest of the captured territories[8]. Also in 383, Fu Jian sent Lu Guang on a campaign through the Yumen Pass to Xiyu, where some of the kingdoms had submitted to the Great Qin, but some had not. Lu's campaign would last several years and be quite successful in establishing Great Qin dominance of the area, although this would not last much longer than Fu Jian's reign.

battle_of_fei_river__one_of_the_most_significant_battles_in_the_history_of_chinaa0995e64e5d6a7343206.jpg

Skirmishes at Fei River

In 386, concerned at the increasing importance of Xianbei and Qiang in the imperial court, Wang Meng attempted to 'clean house' having spies search for evidence regarding disloyalty within the Murong clan in particular. Seizing correspondence between members of the family, Wang exposed the disloyalty of Murong Chui, Chui's son Murong Bai, his brother Murong De and Murong Hong (brother of Murong Wei). Despite Wang's suspicion, Murong Wei evaded Fu Jian's wrath by convincing the Tian Wang that he was ignorant of his family's plotting and that his loyalty was absolute. In reality, Murong Wei was instrumental in facilitating the escape of the Murong clan, warning his kin in advance of Fu Jian's arrest orders. Murong Chui, Murong De and Murong Hong all escaped east to try and reestablish Yan, whilst Murong Bai was executed and his head displayed in Luoyang. The Murong clan also found an ally in Zhao Bin, a Dingling chieftain. Rather than carving out one large kingdom, the rebels, whilst loosely associated, carved out their own individual fiefs. This allowed the Great Qin loyalist forces to crush the rebels individually. Murong Chui was the last to fall, having a last stand at Wujiang Mountain. The campaigns against the rebels lasted several years, coming to an end in 391. Although Murong Wei had managed to survive the turmoil (mainly through sycophancy), he was put to death after attempting to kill Wang Meng in a drunken rage at a court feast in 393.

Fu Jian would pass away in 399. Although he hadn't fulfilled his dream of uniting China under his banner, he left a state that truly deserved the moniker of 'Great Qin', one which had been secured against virtually all internal and external threats.

===

[1] Historically, Wang Meng died of this illness, which caused Former Qin (Great Qin ITTL) to go without his talents.
[2] Gothic equivalent of en masse, from 'viele' (modern German for 'many') and 'zschlowiyn', a Gothic word I invented to be the modern form of 'Slavic'.
[3] IOTL, without Wang Meng around, Fu Jian sent a letter to Fu Pi telling him to storm the city, and to commit suicide if he hadn't achieved the objective by the end of Spring 379. Luckily, he did capture the city in Spring 379.
[4] Fu Luo was merely exiled in OTL.
[5] IOTL, Wang Meng's death led to a decline in the honesty and efficiency of the bureaucracy, which began to report what Fu Jian wanted to hear. This included claiming crop yield surpluses DESPITE a locust infestation, which plainly wasn't possible.
[6] IOTL, Fu Rong led the armies (under duress).
[7] In modern Gothic, 'harjatuga' (war leader) becomes a term akin to 'generalissimo', i.e. implying that one is the paramount general.
[8] IOTL, the Battle of Fei River was a crushing defeat for Former Qin, which directly lead to their collapse and balkanisation.
 
It's interesting, but I have doubts about the name of Great Qin. I don't know any dynasty which had such adjective. Names were either toponyms, symbols or geographic/chronologic differenciation.
 
It's interesting, but I have doubts about the name of Great Qin. I don't know any dynasty which had such adjective. Names were either toponyms, symbols or geographic/chronologic differenciation.

Its supposed to be a name provided anachronistically, in the same manner that 'Byzantine' is applied to the ERE. The 'Great Qin' just call themselves 'Qin'.
 
ni hvazuh saei qipip mis: 'Frauja, Frauja!' ingaleipip in piudingarda Himine... ("Not everyone that says to me: 'Lord, Lord!' shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven...") (Matthew 7:21)

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Zloweny descending upon Gutthiudar lands.

The onset of the 5th century has marked by a major event in the consolidation of the Gothic people and the development of the Gothic state. As worldwide climatic shifts affected the agricultural productivity of certain regions, including parts of Eastern Europe such as the Parljechi Marshes[1]. The lack of agricultural productivity put stress on unsustainably-large populations, forcing many to abandon their homelands and seek out new pasture or farmlands. A major group to migrate during this period were the Zloweny[2] people, the ancestors of modern Zschlowiyn people.

Although certain groups of Zloweny had lived near Gothic lands and at time even cohabited with Gothic frontier villages, greater numbers of Zloweny migrated south forcefully into Gothic territory. Many Gothic villages on the frontiers were burnt to the ground as the Zloweny hordes butchered their way down the Pisel[3] towards the Dinapris and the Greuthung capital of Arheimar. Thorismod (Gothic: Þaurismoþs), King of the Greuthungs, led a great harjis[4] against the Zloweny. Thorismod is known for his great pride, so despite the large army at his back, he accepted a challenge for driugan (personal combat) from the Zloweny chieftain Dragoljub. Armed with long knives, the two men entered into battle. Although a strong man, Thorismod was more than a decade older than his opponent, and his speed had suffered as a result. The Gothic king swung his mekeis[5] in a great arc, but Dragoljub weaved under the blade and dug his own into the king's side. As the king seized up and the blood drained from his body, the Slavic chieftain lowered him to the ground, treating his defeated opponent with the utmost respect. With his final breathes, Thorismod was both dignified and laconic, characteristic of the grandfatherly king. "You fight well, thiudisko[6]". His grey beard flashed with one last smile as he passed into Himine[7].

Although king Thorismod had met his end, the Zloweny had not yet secured final victory. They thought that with the death of the old king, his successor would not be as confident or experienced. Thorismod was succeeded by his son Valamir. Valamir led the Gothic army against the forces of the Sloweny. Although the Sloweny mounted a great charge against the Gothic line, it managed to just hold. The Goths then unleashed upon the Sloweny a great cavalry charge, rolling up the Zlowene left flank. Although the situation seemed hopeless for the attackers, Valamir allowed them to retreat back to their camps, where Valamir sent a delegation to make peace with the Zloweny. Recognising their bravery and ferocity in battle, he decided that they would be a useful addition to the kingdom. He allowed different tribes to settle in different areas, creating a patchwork of Zloweny-inhabited lands surrounded by Goths. The sole exception was Dragoljub's tribe, known as the Dragii, who were sent east to settle the left bank of the Tanais[8]. Dragoljub himself was given the prestigious title of "Fauramathleis Thiudos" (Caretaker of the Land).

The Zloweny would prove to contribute significantly to the Gothic nation, becoming after some time an integral part of the culture. Zlowene architectural styles significantly influenced Gothic construction techniques, with many older Gothic buildings synthesising both Gothic and Zlowene techniques and motifs. Modern Zschlowiynen are also greatly represented in sporting including dominating the heavier weight divisions in international fistfighting[9] and pankration. Zschlowiynen scientists have also made great leaps, particularly in the fields of applied sciences.

[1] OTL Pripet Marshes
[2] OTL Slavs
[3] OTL Psel
[4] "Army", shares origin with German 'heer'
[5] A type of Gothic shortsword
[6] "Heathen"
[7] "Heaven"
[8] The Don River
[9] TTL's equivalent of boxing, but fought in a circular, as opposed to square ring.
 
It adds a great deal of unique flavor and authenticity that you use so many Gothic words. It's a pleasure to read your updates and I'll be following with interest. Keep up the great work!
 
It adds a great deal of unique flavor and authenticity that you use so many Gothic words. It's a pleasure to read your updates and I'll be following with interest. Keep up the great work!

Thank you so much knin! I really appreciate the enthusiasm. I'm glad I managed to come across a lot of Gothic words to be able to add that authenticity, although as a non-linguist it's pretty much limited either to individual words or biblical phrases that have been found in Wulfila's Gothic Bible. :)
 
Thank you so much knin! I really appreciate the enthusiasm. I'm glad I managed to come across a lot of Gothic words to be able to add that authenticity, although as a non-linguist it's pretty much limited either to individual words or biblical phrases that have been found in Wulfila's Gothic Bible. :)

Depending on what kind of library you have access to or how much more effort you might be interested in putting in, I can recommend from flipping and glancing through Bennett's An Introduction to the Gothic Language. It's rather old and may only be available at university libraries. There's also a cool resource for Gothic (and other very old languages) via the University of Texas which you can find here.

If you know these already, feel free to ignore me :D
 
Depending on what kind of library you have access to or how much more effort you might be interested in putting in, I can recommend from flipping and glancing through Bennett's An Introduction to the Gothic Language. It's rather old and may only be available at university libraries. There's also a cool resource for Gothic (and other very old languages) via the University of Texas which you can find here.

If you know these already, feel free to ignore me :D

Haha, that link is actually where I got a lot of what information I do have. I'll make sure to try and locate a copy of Bennett's work. Unfortunately my local libraries are pretty poor on stock, especially of this nature. But hopefully the University of Auckland might have a copy.
 
This is the first in a number of 'flashforwards' to the present that will depict life in the Gothic State in the present and will be posted periodically. Hope you all enjoy something a little different! :)

===

March 28, 2003

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Ara of the Bloth faction. Differentiated from classic Gothic ara by colour scheme

The loudspeaker blared with the audio recording which accompanied the enormous widescreen advertising screen which overlooked Xristu Square[1] at the centre of the New Quarter of Arheimar. "Abri, thwastitha, landen!"[2] boomed as figures wearing white tunics embossed with a stylised black Gothic ara[3]. Anselm passed it with a greater stride than usual. He had nothing but contempt for the 'Bloth' faction[4]. Nothing but insular racists, who want little to do with the rest of the world but war. Anselm was born of a Zschlowiyner father and a Gutthiuder mother, and considered himself a Goth, but his family had never had much money. Anselm himself had been bought up in a poor area in near the edges of the New Quarter, pejoratively called the "swartsthaurp"[5], inhabited largely by Oriental and Swartslander[6] migrant workers. He didn't have the same taste for the Bloth Faction's racial policies as some of the more affluent Goths did. Many of those same people were exempt due to their income from the system of 'Thiuda Militon' and as such didn't see the impact of their wars, nor were they the ones risking their lives. Anselm was too poor to buy his way out of the militon.

As Anselm walked down to the train terminal, his ear caught the sound of sobbing around the corner, followed by two or three inaudible male voices. Poking his head around the corner, he spied four juggalauths[9] hassling a young Xinius woman who had her back to the wall. Anselm called out angrily to the juggalauths, who responded flippantly, cursing and waving their arms in arrogance. Angrily, Anselm approached the one which appeared to be the leader. The juggalauth swung his fist at Anselm, who jumped back to dodge the punch and flicked his right foot up into the juggalauth's face. A second juggalauth, who looked much younger than the others, only fourteen years or so, lunged at Anselm with a short blade. Anselm, much older and stronger than the youth, seized the boy's wrist and put it into a wristlock. The child dropped the knife. Luckily he hadn't been holding it correctly, Anselm thought, otherwise he could've given him some nasty lacerations on his hand. As the struggle continued, the young woman tried to run away. One of the young thugs ran her down and slapped her hard in the face. As she dropped to the ground, he delivered a kick to her stomach. Anselm felt a greater rage come over him. One of the juggalauths tried to grab his collar, so he put his head into the concrete wall. A second one rushed forward. Anselm sunk his fist deep into the thugs stomach, bending him over double. Then Anselm put his knee into his face, knocking him out cold. The young boy that was with them run off. The only one remaining was beginning to kick the girl on the ground again. Anselm sprinted towards him. Hearing Anselm's footfalls approaching, the thug swung wildly at Anselm's head, but he ducked under the punch and barreled into the thug's torso, sending him to the ground two meters away. The thug quickly leapt back up, bouncing forward on his feet and throwing another hook. Anselm could tell by his stance that he was a trained fistfighter. But Anselm stopped the blow with his left hand, seizing the thug's wrist. Anselm spun his body inward and against the thug, put the inside curve of his elbow into the thug's armpit and threw the thug over his shoulder. Not releasing the juggalauth's wrist, he put his boot on his throat. The juggalauth, defeated, looked at Anselm with nothing but contempt.

A whistle rang out from behind Anselm. A thwasthelm[10]. Where were they when the girl needed help, he thought. The thwasthelm approached Anselm and asked him what happened. Anselm explained to the apparently unmoved guard. The thwasthelm said that he would sort the juggalauth out, and suggested that Anselm take the girl away and catch his train. Anselm looked at him quizzically, wondering how the thwasthelm knew he was catching a train. Then he remembered that he was wearing the blue digital camouflage of the Meerenharjis [11]. Anselm walked over to the girl, lying curled up in a sobbing heap on the ground. As he helped her up, she looked up at him. She was clearly shaken and still a little afraid. Few women look their best crying, and she was no exception, but Anselm was struck by how kind her deep brown eyes looked. He became a bit self-conscious as she furrowed her brow and he realised he was staring. He quickly pulled himself together and helped her up. Her hands shook as she reached into her purse and pulled out some coins. He shook his head at her and he offered to escort her to her train. As it happened, it was the same train as he was taking, to Motlaja[12] via Wichstulheim[13]. Anhelm had been annoyed at his assignment to the Meerens[14] in the North, rather than the cushy postings in mild Taurica[15], where beautiful women (and rich ones too!) froliced on the shore in their swimsuits. But maybe this wouldn't be such a bad trip after all. Glancing back, he saw the juggalauth handing the thwasthelm a little green bag whilst the guard handed him a cigarette and a roll of cash. Anhelm's momentary glee left him. Should've known better than to look on the bright side, he thought himself.

===

[1] Christ Square
[2] "Heritage, security, land!"
[3] eagle
[4] 'Bloth' = blood. Faction is the term used ITTL's present for political parties.
[5] "black village"
[6] "Black African"
[7] "National Service"
[8] OTL Warsaw
[9] "Youths". Used ITTL as a word for juvenile delinquents. I honestly couldn't believe how much this word sounds like 'juggalo'.
[10] Invented term meaning "security guard" or "gendarme" depending on the context.
[11] TTL's word for the navy.
[12] OTL's Gdansk/Danzig
[13] OTL's Warsaw
[14] Slang for 'the Marines'.
[15] The Crimea
 
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The train ride was awkward. There was few things to say. She seemed understandably upset, even in a little shock. Anselm tried to ask her questions, but her lip quivered and none of the answers was longer than three words. He noticed she didn't have a Xinius accent, but a Gothic one. He asked where she was from, and she replied, but mumbled and stared at the floor, so he couldn't make out what she said. He decided not to push it. After what seemed like forever, the train stopped at the station in Wichstulheim. She stood up, put her bag on her shoulder and went to walk out. Anselm looked up at her. "Thanks" she said, without turning back to him. "You're welcome". She walked away. He looked out the window of the locomotive wistfully as she walked away. Anselm slapped his face into his palm, shook his head and sighed. "Nice one Anselm. You even fucked that up". There was nothing to do now but have a nap en route to Motlaja.

"Left, right, left, right!", the unterbahtjanharjatuga[1] barked as Anselm punched the focus pads. Anselm stumbled as his sparring partner slapped him with the focus pads. "Stay awake, ladies! Sarka!". Anselm turned as he heard his surname. "Get your hide down to the firing range. I've had enough of the sight of you. Move it, now!". Anselm tore off his gloves and rushed down to the range. His heart was pounding as he stood in front of the armoury window. The attendant glanced up at him, not particularly concerned by his presence. After making Anselm wait a minute or two for no particular reason (except pissing him off), he handed him a sturmgunnr[2] and two magazines. "It's amazing", he piped up. "They'll trust you grunts with one of these when you can't even use a towel". Anselm was drenched with sweat, and wasn't in the mood for the attendant's simultaneously barbed and droll humour. Anselm scowled and took the equipment, striding down to the range where he loaded the magazines, shouldered and cocked the sturmgunnr and fired ten three round bursts downrange. Not bad, but not great. Usually Anselm did well in the ring and on the range, but not today. He pushed his frustration with himself to the back of his mind. His nap on the train hadn't helped at all, odd dreams had actually sapped his energy.

The loudspeaker blared over the range. "All combat personnel report to the mess immediately for orientation. Repeat, all combat personnel report to the mess immediately for orientation. Any who fail to comply will receive disciplinary action". Anselm packed up his equipment and return him, refusing even eye contact with the attendant.

In the mess hall, after a roll call was taken, the personnel were briefed on their mission, which was to screen ships from Sviarland[3] who were seen in the proximity of Gautland[4]. Just another nothing assignment.

===
[1] A term for NCOs. From "unter" (lower), "bahtjan" (office), "harjatuga" (military leader).
[2] "Assault rifle"
[3] Sweden
[4] Gotland
 
Sviarland.

Nice Update.

The truth that this update brought some counterintuitive information ... Sviarland (Sweden) exists in this TL. and is a opponent /enemy of the Gothics Nation?
 
Nice Update.

The truth that this update brought some counterintuitive information ... Sviarland (Sweden) exists in this TL. and is a opponent /enemy of the Gothics Nation?

Yes, Sviarland does exist in this TL. I wouldn't go as far as to say that it's an enemy of the Gothic Nation, it's just that ITTL, the Goths in the present are influenced strongly by xenophobic political ideologies.
 
divar muš dare, muš ham guš dare ("Walls have mice, and the mice have ears")

Taq-e_Bostan_-_High-relief_Shapur_II_and_Shapur_III.jpg

Shapur II and his son Shapur III side by side, constructed in the reign of Shapur III.

After the death of the great king Shapur II, who has extended the boundaries of the Persian realm to both the east and the west, a period of internal instability wracked by internecine struggles between the Shahs and the wuzurgan, a class of the nobility. The wuzurgan were notably for their fickleness, often supporting and then deposing kings once they lost their favour.

Succeeding Shapur II was his half-brother Ardashir II, who had been designated successor by Shapur II on the condition that he resign when Shapur II's son Shapur III came of age. Ardashir was considered the most kind and virtuous of rulers, granted the epithet Nihoukar (Beneficent) by his people. Ardashir is reported to have taken no taxes from his people, nor did he embark on any campaigns of conquest. After four years of rule, he abdicated in favour of Shapur III. Upon accession, aware of the power of the wuzurgan, he declared that he would not allow deceit, greed or self-righteousness at his court. This was seen as a challenge by many of the nobles, who attempted to undermine his rule, despite his stabilisation of the western frontier by signing a treaty of friendship with the Romans. Shapur III was a man of spartan tastes, rejecting the lavish lifestyle available to the kings of Persia. After a five-year reign, he was killed when a group of wuzurqgan cut the ropes of a large tent he had erected in his royal court, crushing the Shahanshah.

Shapur III was succeeded by his son Warahran (Bahram) IV. Warahran had been the governor of Kerman during the reign of his father, and as king he established the city of Kermanshah in the foothills of the Zagros Mountains. Warahran was by all accounts a harsh and vindictive ruler, who treated foreign guests and dignitaries with contempt. His personality is blamed for a temporary breakdown of relationship with the Huns of Armenia, resulting in an invasion of Asoristan (Assyria) by King Uldin's hordes in 397. The invasion may better be described as large-scale raids, with the Huns capturing much loot in the form of gold, child and woman slaves, and other valuables. His lethargic response to the Hunnic raids and his manner turned many of his soldiers against him, resulting in his assassination by his own troops. Warahran died at the hands of soldiers as contemptuous of him as he was of them, killed not even by a blade, but peppered with arrows like a common hare.

YazdegerdICoinHistoryofIran.jpg

Shah Yazdegerd I, most peaceful of kings

Succeeding Warahran was his younger brother Yazdegerd I. In contrast to his malicious and corrupt brother, Yazdegerd is remembered as the personification of gentle dignity and benevolent kingship. Not long into Yazdegerd's reign, the Eastern Roman Emperor Arcadius entrusted the care of his son, Theodosius (to be Theodosius II) upon the death of the elder Emperor. Although Sassanid Persia's traditional enemy, Rome, was wracked with attacks from barbarians concurrent to Yazdegerd's reign, not once did he mount a military expedition against any of his neighbours. Yazdegerd himself adopted the title Ramshahr ("one who maintains peace in his dominion"), whilst his subjects knew him as Ramashtras, or "the most quiet".

Yazdegerd was known for his tolerance of Christians and Jews, although he appears to have taken actions against the mogh, or 'Magi' (Zoroastrian priests). Although Yazdegerd seems to have approved of Christianity, he was conscious of the potential interference of Rome in a Christian Persia. As a result, he promoted the Nestorian branch of Christianity. Although this faith would not end up dominant in Persia, it would have significant influence further east. Although Yazdegerd assisted the Church in Persia, most notably by granting Christians freedom of worship in 410, he would not tolerate communal violence within his empire. In 420, Abdas, the Bishop of Ctesiphon, was accused of burning down the Great Fire Temple after a dispute with local Magi. Yazdegerd ordered Abdas to pay for the restoration of the temple, but when Abdas refused, he ordered the destruction of all churches in the city. Persecutions of Christians were furthered by the more rabidly anti-Christian Mihr Narseh, who was appointed Yazdegerd's Wuzurg Framadār[1]. That same year, Yazdegerd finally succumbed to an illness which had pestered him since 419. One of Yazdegerd's sons, Shapur IV, rushed to Ctesiphon to succeed his father, but he was murdered by the wuzurgan, who, having allied themselves with the Magi, sought to purge the throne of any of the sons of Yazdegerd. They then elected Khosrau, a son of Warahran IV. But Khosrau's short reign was brought to an end when Warahran V, son of Yazdegerd, who lived in al-Hirah, the capital of the Sassanid vassal Arab kingdom of the Banu Lakhm, secured the support of the Lakhmid king and marched to Ctesiphon, where he convinced the wuzurgan to give the throne to him as the rightful heir. He promised that he wouldn't reign like Yazdegerd, whose pacifism and anti-Zoroastrianism had incensed the nobility.

===
[1] An equivalent of "Grand Vizier".
 
Regarding the Update...

It will be interesting to see how the Goths came to acquire that degree of xenophobia...:(

Regarding the Update...

Maybe the best thing for Christians after a tolerant Monarch it is a weak and unstable central government, as seems to be the case, at least for now, in Persia. :)
 
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