Dad-windad

Dad-windad (also spelled Dad-bendad) was a Parthian grandee, who served as the chief secretary (dabirbad) of the last Arsacid monarch, Artabanus V (r. 213–224). He took part in the climatic battle of Hormozdgan in 224 between the Arsacid and Sasanian forces, which resulted in the defeat and death of Artabanus V, with Dad-windad meeting his end shortly afterwards.

1840 illustration of a Sasanian relief at Firuzabad, celebrating Ardashir I's victory over Artabanus V. On the relief, Ardashir is portrayed as riding on a horse whilst ousting Artabanus V, who is also mounted. Ardashir I's son Shapur I, also on horseback, is portrayed as impaling Dad-windad with his lance.[1]

Biography

Dad-windad served as the chief secretary, which was a powerful post but also a risky one, with the possibility of a harsh penalty or even death.[2] On April 28 224, Dad-Windad took part in the climatic battle of Hormozdgan between the Arsacid and Sasanian forces. The forces of the Sasanian king Ardashir I numbered 10,000 cavalry, with some of them wearing flexible chain armor akin to that of the Romans.[1] Artabanus V led a greater number of soldiers, who, however, were less disposed, due to wearing the inconvenient lamellar armor.[1] Ardashir's son and heir, Shapur I, as portrayed in the Sasanian rock reliefs, also took part in the battle.[3] Artabanus V was defeated and killed during the battle, which marked the end of the Parthian era and the start of 427-years of Sasanian rule.[1] Dad-windad was afterwards executed by Ardashir I.[2] Ardashir I celebrated his victory in a relief sculptured at his previous capital, Ardashir-Khwarrah (present-day Firuzabad) in his homeland, Pars.[4] On the relief, Ardashir I is portrayed as riding on a horse whilst ousting Artabanus V, who is also mounted. Ardashir I's son Shapur I, also on horseback, is portrayed as impaling Dad-windad with his lance.[1]

References
  1. Shahbazi 2004, pp. 469–470.
  2. Rajabzadeh 1993, pp. 534–539.
  3. Shahbazi 2002.
  4. Shahbazi 2005.

Sources
  • Rajabzadeh, Hashem (1993). "Dabīr". Encyclopaedia Iranica, Vol. VI, Fasc. 5. pp. 534–539.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Shahbazi, A. Shapur (2004). "Hormozdgān". Encyclopaedia Iranica, Vol. XII, Fasc. 5. pp. 469–470.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Shahbazi, A. Shapur (2005). "SASANIAN DYNASTY". Encyclopaedia Iranica, Online Edition.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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