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|name=Rostam Farrokhzād |
|name=Rostam Farrokhzād |
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|birth_date= |
|birth_date= |
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|death_date=636 |
|death_date=636 |
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|birth_place=[[Sassanid Empire|Eranshahr]] |
|birth_place=[[Sassanid Empire|Eranshahr]] |
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|death_place=[[Al-Qādisiyyah (historical city)|Al-Qadisiyyah]], [[Iraq]] |
|death_place=[[Al-Qādisiyyah (historical city)|Al-Qadisiyyah]], [[Iraq]] |
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|nickname=Khalq |
|nickname=Khalq |
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|allegiance=[[File:Derafsh Kaviani.png|20px]] [[Sasanian Empire]] |
|allegiance=[[File:Derafsh Kaviani.png|20px]] [[Sasanian Empire]] |
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|branch= [[ |
|branch= [[Sasanian army]] |
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|serviceyears= |
|serviceyears= |
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|rank=[[spahbod]] |
|rank=[[spahbod]] |
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:''For the character in the 10th century [[Culture of Iran|Persian]] epic [[Shahnameh]] or ''Epic of Kings'', see [[Rostam]].'' |
:''For the character in the 10th century [[Culture of Iran|Persian]] epic [[Shahnameh]] or ''Epic of Kings'', see [[Rostam]].'' |
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'''Rostam Farrokhzād''' (رستم فرّخزاد in [[Persian Language|Persian]]) (''6?? – 636 |
'''Rostam Farrokhzād''' (رستم فرّخزاد in [[Persian Language|Persian]]) (''6?? – 636'') was the [[Spahbod|Ērān Spāhbod]] (''Spāhbod of Iran'', ''Commander of the Army of Iran'') of the [[Sassanid Empire|Sāsānian Empire]] under the reign of [[Yazdegerd III|Yazdgird]], ''r''. 632–651. Rostam is remembered as an historical figure, a character in the Persian epic poem [[Shahnameh]], and as a touchstone of most [[Iranian nationalism|Iranian nationalists]]. |
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== Rise == |
== Rise == |
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Rostam Farrokhzād was a powerful Sasanian general and aristocrat from [[Atropatene (satrapy)|Azarbaijan]], one of the provinces of the [[Sasanian Empire]]. Rostam, his father, [[Farrokh Hormizd]], and his brother served the Sāsānian rulers in high office. As his father before him, Rostam was "ishkan" or "prince” of [[Atropatene (satrapy)|Azarbaijan]] and [[Media (region)|Media]] and governor of [[Greater Khorasan|Khorasan]]. By this date |
Rostam Farrokhzād was a powerful Sasanian general and aristocrat from [[Atropatene (satrapy)|Azarbaijan]], one of the provinces of the [[Sasanian Empire]]. Rostam, his father, [[Farrokh Hormizd]], and his brother served the Sāsānian rulers in high office. As his father before him, Rostam was "ishkan" or "prince” of [[Atropatene (satrapy)|Azarbaijan]] and [[Media (region)|Media]] and governor of [[Greater Khorasan|Khorasan]]. By this date Sasanian governors (''Spahbod''s) held their lands in a type of hereditary [[fiefdom]]. In a period of Sāsānian decline, such aristocrats became increasingly powerful and in many cases were the power behind a series of weak rulers. |
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During the regency of [[Ardashir III]], [[Farrokh Hormizd]] attempted to seize power by a proposed marriage to queen [[Azarmidokht]], but Rostam's father was rebuffed and murdered. In revenge, Rostam led his army to the Persian capital of [[Ctesiphon]] and had the queen blinded and deposed. |
During the regency of [[Ardashir III]], [[Farrokh Hormizd]] attempted to seize power by a proposed marriage to queen [[Azarmidokht]], but Rostam's father was rebuffed and murdered. In revenge, Rostam led his army to the Persian capital of [[Ctesiphon]] and had the queen blinded and deposed. |
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In 631 CE, Rostam conquered [[Marzpanate Period|Armenia]] from its [[Byzantine]] governor [[Varaz-Tirots II Bagratuni|Prince Varaz-Tirots Bagratuni]], and added it to his fief. |
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By 632, Rostam reappears in Persian sources as a supporter of another young ruler [[Yazdegerd III]] who had just taken [[Ctesiphon]], perhaps with the aid of Rostam's faction. Rostam's brother [[Khurrazad]] was the 'darik-pat' (or chamberlain). With another aristocrat named Zadhoe, there appears to have been a triumvirate behind the new ruler. |
By 632, Rostam reappears in Persian sources as a supporter of another young ruler [[Yazdegerd III]] who had just taken [[Ctesiphon]], perhaps with the aid of Rostam's faction. Rostam's brother [[Khurrazad]] was the 'darik-pat' (or chamberlain). With another aristocrat named Zadhoe, there appears to have been a triumvirate behind the new ruler. |
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Throughout this period the great expansion of [[History of Islam|Arab-Muslim]] armies had slowly been [[Islamic conquest of Iran|penetrating the south-western frontiers]] under [[Umar ibn al-Khattab|Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattāb]]. The Persians had repeatedly blocked this advance and in 634 the Caliph's army suffered a seemingly decisive defeat at the [[Battle of the Bridge]]. The [[Sassanid Empire|Sasanian]] general [[Bahman Jaduya]], though, was ordered back to [[Ctesiphon]] by Rostam (who seems to have led the Persian ruling faction by this point) in order to put down a revolt in his own capital city. |
Throughout this period the great expansion of [[History of Islam|Arab-Muslim]] armies had slowly been [[Islamic conquest of Iran|penetrating the south-western frontiers]] under [[Umar ibn al-Khattab|Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattāb]]. The Persians had repeatedly blocked this advance and in 634 the Caliph's army suffered a seemingly decisive defeat at the [[Battle of the Bridge]]. The [[Sassanid Empire|Sasanian]] general [[Bahman Jaduya]], though, was ordered back to [[Ctesiphon]] by Rostam (who seems to have led the Persian ruling faction by this point) in order to put down a revolt in his own capital city. Caliph `Umar's forces retreated, only to launch a successful assault three years later. |
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== Battle of al-Qadisiyyah == |
== Battle of al-Qadisiyyah == |
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According to Arab sources, negotiations were carried out between the two sides with Arab delegations coming to the Persian camp and demanding that the latter accept [[Islam]] or agree to pay the tribute ([[jizyah]]). Rostam, having pessimistic premonitions, tried to delay the battle. When neither side came to an agreement fighting broke out. |
According to Arab sources, negotiations were carried out between the two sides with Arab delegations coming to the Persian camp and demanding that the latter accept [[Islam]] or agree to pay the tribute ([[jizyah]]). Rostam, having pessimistic premonitions, tried to delay the battle. When neither side came to an agreement fighting broke out. |
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The Persians fielded a much larger force according to the Arab muslim scholars of centuries later which for long were considered the primary sources of the events (sources disagree on the exact size: 60,000 to 100,000 with various Arab sources giving contradicting numbers which might indicate the later exaggerations). |
The Persians fielded a much larger force according to the Arab muslim scholars of centuries later which for long were considered the primary sources of the events (sources disagree on the exact size: 60,000 to 100,000 with various Arab sources giving contradicting numbers which might indicate the later exaggerations). There was a heavy sandstorm facing the Persian army on the final day of the battle. Rostam lay next to a camel to shelter himself from the storm, while some weapons, such as axes, maces, and swords had been loaded on the camel.<ref name="Al-Tabari 1993" /> [[Hilāl ibn `Ullafah]] accidentally cut the girdle of the load on the camel, not knowing that Rostam was behind and under it.<ref name="Al-Tabari 1993" /> The weapons fell on Rostam and broke his back leaving him half dead and paralyzed. Hilal beheaded Rostam and shouted "I swear to the god of Kaaba that I have killed Rostam." Shocked by the head of their legendary leader dangling before their eyes, the Persians were demoralized, and the commanders lost control of the army. Many Persian soldiers were slain in the chaos, many escaped through the river, and finally the rest of the army surrendered.<ref name="Al-Tabari 1993" /> |
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=== Consequences === |
=== Consequences === |
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:''See [[Sassanid Empire#Decline and fall (622–651)| |
:''See [[Sassanid Empire#Decline and fall (622–651)|Sasanian Empire: Decline and fall (622–651)]]'' |
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The defeat of Rostam's army marked the beginning of the end of the [[Sasanian Empire]] and the conversion of Persia (and soon all [[Central Asia]]) to [[Islam]]. {{Expand section|date=December 2009}} |
The defeat of Rostam's army marked the beginning of the end of the [[Sasanian Empire]] and the conversion of Persia (and soon all [[Central Asia]]) to [[Islam]]. {{Expand section|date=December 2009}} |
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* [[Islamic conquest of Iran]] |
* [[Islamic conquest of Iran]] |
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* [[Muslim conquests]] |
* [[Muslim conquests]] |
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* [[ |
* [[Sasanian Empire]] |
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* [[Shahnameh]] |
* [[Shahnameh]] |
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* [[Shahnameh Characters]] |
* [[Shahnameh Characters]] |
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| NAME = Rostam Farrokhzad |
| NAME = Rostam Farrokhzad |
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| ALTERNATIVE NAMES = |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES = |
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| SHORT DESCRIPTION = |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Sasanian general |
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| DATE OF BIRTH = |
| DATE OF BIRTH = |
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| PLACE OF BIRTH = |
| PLACE OF BIRTH = |
Revision as of 18:43, 14 August 2013
Rostam Farrokhzād | |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | Khalq |
Born | Eranshahr |
Died | 636 Al-Qadisiyyah, Iraq |
Allegiance | Sasanian Empire |
Service/ | Sasanian army |
Rank | spahbod |
Battles/wars | Battle of al-Qadisiyyah |
Rostam Farrokhzād (رستم فرّخزاد in Persian) (6?? – 636) was the Ērān Spāhbod (Spāhbod of Iran, Commander of the Army of Iran) of the Sāsānian Empire under the reign of Yazdgird, r. 632–651. Rostam is remembered as an historical figure, a character in the Persian epic poem Shahnameh, and as a touchstone of most Iranian nationalists.
Rise
Rostam Farrokhzād was a powerful Sasanian general and aristocrat from Azarbaijan, one of the provinces of the Sasanian Empire. Rostam, his father, Farrokh Hormizd, and his brother served the Sāsānian rulers in high office. As his father before him, Rostam was "ishkan" or "prince” of Azarbaijan and Media and governor of Khorasan. By this date Sasanian governors (Spahbods) held their lands in a type of hereditary fiefdom. In a period of Sāsānian decline, such aristocrats became increasingly powerful and in many cases were the power behind a series of weak rulers.
During the regency of Ardashir III, Farrokh Hormizd attempted to seize power by a proposed marriage to queen Azarmidokht, but Rostam's father was rebuffed and murdered. In revenge, Rostam led his army to the Persian capital of Ctesiphon and had the queen blinded and deposed.
By 632, Rostam reappears in Persian sources as a supporter of another young ruler Yazdegerd III who had just taken Ctesiphon, perhaps with the aid of Rostam's faction. Rostam's brother Khurrazad was the 'darik-pat' (or chamberlain). With another aristocrat named Zadhoe, there appears to have been a triumvirate behind the new ruler.
Throughout this period the great expansion of Arab-Muslim armies had slowly been penetrating the south-western frontiers under Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattāb. The Persians had repeatedly blocked this advance and in 634 the Caliph's army suffered a seemingly decisive defeat at the Battle of the Bridge. The Sasanian general Bahman Jaduya, though, was ordered back to Ctesiphon by Rostam (who seems to have led the Persian ruling faction by this point) in order to put down a revolt in his own capital city. Caliph `Umar's forces retreated, only to launch a successful assault three years later.
Battle of al-Qadisiyyah
In 636, Yazdegerd III ordered Rostam Farrokhzad to subdue the Muslim Arabs invading Iran and then told him:
Today you are the [most prominent] man among the Iranians. You see that the people of Iran have not faced a situation like this since the family of Ardashir I assumed power.[1]
After some time in 636 Rostam set out from Ctesiphon in command of a large Sasanian force to confront the Arab-Muslim army of Caliph `Umar ibn al-Khattāb on the western bank of the Euphrates River at the plains of al-Qādisiyyah.
The two armies met in Al-Qādisiyyah, a now abandoned city in southern Mesopotamia, southwest of al-Hillah and al-Kūfah in Iraq.
According to Arab sources, negotiations were carried out between the two sides with Arab delegations coming to the Persian camp and demanding that the latter accept Islam or agree to pay the tribute (jizyah). Rostam, having pessimistic premonitions, tried to delay the battle. When neither side came to an agreement fighting broke out.
The Persians fielded a much larger force according to the Arab muslim scholars of centuries later which for long were considered the primary sources of the events (sources disagree on the exact size: 60,000 to 100,000 with various Arab sources giving contradicting numbers which might indicate the later exaggerations). There was a heavy sandstorm facing the Persian army on the final day of the battle. Rostam lay next to a camel to shelter himself from the storm, while some weapons, such as axes, maces, and swords had been loaded on the camel.[2] Hilāl ibn `Ullafah accidentally cut the girdle of the load on the camel, not knowing that Rostam was behind and under it.[2] The weapons fell on Rostam and broke his back leaving him half dead and paralyzed. Hilal beheaded Rostam and shouted "I swear to the god of Kaaba that I have killed Rostam." Shocked by the head of their legendary leader dangling before their eyes, the Persians were demoralized, and the commanders lost control of the army. Many Persian soldiers were slain in the chaos, many escaped through the river, and finally the rest of the army surrendered.[2]
Consequences
The defeat of Rostam's army marked the beginning of the end of the Sasanian Empire and the conversion of Persia (and soon all Central Asia) to Islam.
See also
- Islamic conquest of Iran
- Muslim conquests
- Sasanian Empire
- Shahnameh
- Shahnameh Characters
- Khurrazad- brother of Rostam