Izadgushasp

Izadgushasp
Born Ērānshahr
Died 580s
Ctesiphon
Allegiance Sasanian Empire
Service/branch Sasanian army
Rank Vizier
Battles/wars Lazic War
Siege of Dara

Izadgushasp (also spelled Yazdgushnasp), known in Byzantine sources as Isdigousnas Zikh, was a Iranian nobleman from the House of Mihran, who served as one of Khosrau's viziers.[1]

Biography

Izadgushasp is first mentioned during the reign of Khosrau I, as one of the highest dignitaries and most powerful noblemen, being both Khosrau's vizier and chamberlain.[2] He had a brother named Fariburz (also known as Phabrizus) who also held high offices. Procopius describes them as: "both holding most important offices ... and at the same time reckoned to be the basest of all Persians, having a great reputation for their cleverness and evil ways."[1] Izadgushasp, along with two other powerful magnates named Simah-i Burzin and Bahram-i Mah Adhar, were even asked by Khosrau I to choose his heir.[3]

During the Lazic War, Izadgushasp and Fariburz played an important role in the capture of Lazica. During the peace negotiations to end the war, Izadgushasp was the spokesman of the Sasanians, and made a treaty with the Byzantines in which they paid a great tribute of gold.[1]

In 547, Khosrau, who was keen to wrest Dara from Byzantine control, tried to trick them in order to capture it; he sent Izadgushasp as a diplomat to Constantinople, but in reality the latter would stop by Dara, and with the aid of his large crew, he would seize the city. However, this plan was prevented by a former of adviser of Belisarius named George, who demanded that if Izadgushasp should enter the city he should have only twenty members of his crew with him. Izadgushasp then left the city and continued his journey to Constantinople, where he was friendly welcomed by Justinian, who gave him some gifts.[4]

In 573, during the Byzantine–Sasanian War of 572–591, Khosrau I sent an army under Adarmahan to invade Syria, while he himself, along with Izadgushasp and Fariburz,[1] led an army towards Dara, capturing the city after four months. Adarmahan sacked several cities in Syria, which included Apamea.[5] The Byzantine emperor Justin II reportedly lost his mind after these Byzantine disasters and abdicated. In 579, Khosrau was succeeded by his son Hormizd IV, who later ordered the death of 13,600 nobles and religious members,[6] including Izadgushasp.[7]

References

Sources

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