| Balash 𐭥𐭥𐭣𐭠𐭧𐭱𐭩 | |
|---|---|
| King of Kings of Iranians and non-Iranians | |
 | |
| Shahanshah of theSasanian Empire | |
| Reign | 484–488 |
| Predecessor | Peroz I |
| Successor | Kavad I |
| Died | Unknown |
| House | House of Sasan |
| Father | Yazdegerd II |
| Religion | Zoroastrianism |
Balash (Middle Persian: 𐭥𐭥𐭣𐭠𐭧𐭱𐭩,Wardākhsh/Walākhsh) was theSasanianKing of Kings ofIran from 484 to 488. He was the brother and successor ofPeroz I (r. 459–484), who had beendefeated and killed by aHephthalite army.
Balāsh (بلاش) is theNew Persian form of theMiddle PersianWardākhsh/Walākhsh (Inscriptional Pahlavi:𐭥𐭥𐭣𐭠𐭧𐭱𐭩 wrdʾḥšy; lateBook Pahlavi forms gwlḥš-Gulakhsh- andGulāsh-).[1] The etymology of the name is unclear, althoughFerdinand Justi proposes thatWalagaš, the first form of the name, is a compound of words "strength" (varəda), and "handsome" (gaš orgeš in Modern Persian).[2]
The Greek forms of his name areBlases (Βλάσης) andBalas (Βάλας).[3]
In 484,Peroz I (r. 459–484) wasdefeated and killed by aHephthalite[a] army nearBalkh.[6][7] His army was completely destroyed, and his body was never found.[8] Four of his sons and brothers had also died.[9] The main Sasanian cities of the eastern region ofKhorasan−Nishapur,Herat andMarw were now under Hephthalite rule.[7]Sukhra, a member of the ParthianHouse of Karen, one of theSeven Great Houses of Iran, quickly raised a new force and stopped the Hephthalites from achieving further success.[10] Peroz' brother, Balash, was elected as shah by the Iranian magnates, most notably Sukhra and theMihranid generalShapur Mihran.[11]
Immediately after ascending the throne, Balash sought peace with the Hephthalites, which cost the Sasanians a heavy tribute. Little is known about Balash, but he is perceived by eastern sources as a mild and tolerant ruler. He was very tolerant ofChristianity, which earned him a reputation among Christian authors, who described him as a mild and generous monarch. Nevertheless, it would seem that Balash was only a nominee of the powerful nobleman andde facto ruler Sukhra.[7]
At the announcement of the death of Peroz, the Iranian nobles ofSasanian Armenia, including the prominent nobleman Shapur Mihran, had become eager to go to the Sasanian capital ofCtesiphon to elect a new sovereign. This had allowed theArmenians underVahan Mamikonian to proclaim independence from the Sasanians. Given the situation of the weakness in Iran, Balash did not send an army to fight the rebels, which forced him toconclude peace with the Armenians. The conditions of the peace were: all existing fire-altars in Armenia should be destroyed and no new ones should be constructed;[12]Christians in Armenia should have freedom of worship and conversions toZoroastrianism should be stopped:[12] land should not be allotted to people who convert to Zoroastrianism; the Iranian shah should, in person, administer Armenia and through the aid of governors or deputies.[12] In 485, Balash appointed Vahan Mamikonian as themarzban of Armenia. A few months later, a son of Peroz namedZarer rose in rebellion. Balash, with the aid of the Armenians, put down the rebellion, captured and killed him.[12] In 488, Balash, who was an unpopular figure among the nobility and clergy, was deposed after a reign of just four years.[2] Sukhra played a main role in Balash's deposition,[2] and appointed Peroz's son Kavad as the new shah of Iran.[13]
Balash | ||
| Preceded by | King of Kings of Iran and non-Iran 484–488 | Succeeded by |
