Gushnaspdad
Gushnaspdād, known in Byzantine sources as Gousanastadēs (Γουσαναστάδης), was a Sasanian nobleman, who was kanarang during the reign of Balash (r. 484-488), and Kavad I (r. 488–531).
Gushnaspdad | |
---|---|
Died | 498/9 Ctesiphon |
Allegiance | |
Service/ | Sasanian army |
Rank | Kanarang |
Biography
Gushnaspdad first appears in 496,[1] as one of the supporters of Balash. After Balash's accession, Gushnaspdad urged the Sasanian noblemen to execute Kavad, the brother of Balash. He is reportedly said to have told the Sasanian noblemen while holding a knife: "You see this knife, how extremely small it is; nevertheless it is able at present time to accomplish a deed which, be assured, my dear Persians, a little later two myriads of mail clad men could not bring to pass."
However, the Sasanian nobles declined the decision, and instead had Kavadh imprisoned; however, he later managed to escape and took refugee in Central Asia. In 498/9, Kavadh returned to Iran with the aid of the Hephthalites.[2][3] Kavad then captured Ctesiphon, restored his rule, and had Gushnaspdad executed.[3] Gushnaspdad was replaced by Adergoudounbades as kanarang.[4]
References
- Pourshariati 2008, p. 267.
- Rezakhani 2017, p. 131.
- Schindel 2013, pp. 136–141.
- Pourshariati 2008, pp. 267–268.
Sources
- Schindel, Nikolaus (2013). "Kawād I i. Reign". Encyclopaedia Iranica, Vol. XVI, Fasc. 2. pp. 136–141.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
- Rezakhani, Khodadad (2017). ReOrienting the Sasanians: East Iran in Late Antiquity. Edinburgh University Press. pp. 1–256. ISBN 9781474400305.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
- Pourshariati, Parvaneh (2008). Decline and Fall of the Sasanian Empire: The Sasanian-Parthian Confederacy and the Arab Conquest of Iran. London, United Kingdom: I.B. Tauris. ISBN 978-1-84511-645-3.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)