| Khosrow III 𐭧𐭥𐭮𐭫𐭥𐭣𐭩 | |
|---|---|
| King of Kings of Iranians and non-Iranians | |
 | |
| RivalShahanshah of theSasanian Empire | |
| Reign | 630 |
| Predecessor | Shahrbaraz |
| Successor | Boran |
| Died | 630 Khorasan |
| House | House of Sasan |
| Father | Khosrow II |
| Religion | Zoroastrianism |
Khosrow III (also spelledKhosrau,Khusro orXosrow;Middle Persian:𐭧𐭥𐭮𐭫𐭥𐭣𐭩;New Persian:خسرو) was aSasanian rival claimant who briefly ruled a part ofKhorasan for a few months in 630.
"Khosrow" is theNew Persian variant of his name used by scholars; his original name wasMiddle Persian,Husraw, itself derived fromAvestanHaosrauuah ("he who has good fame").[1] The name is transliterated inGreek asChosroes (Χοσρόης) and inArabic asKisra.[2]
The background of Khosrow III is obscure; in some sources he has been described as a son ofKavad II (r. 628–628), whilst other state that he was a son ofKhosrow II (r. 590–628).[3] The latter seems more likely according to the English historianC. E. Bosworth.[3] Khosrow III originally lived in the "land of the Turks", but after hearing of the friction inIran, went to the country and succeeded in ruling some ofKhorasan for three months, before being killed by its governor.[3] On his coinage, Khosrow III is portrayed wearing the same crown as Khosrow II, with the two wings being a reference toVerethragna, the god of victory.[4] He is portrayed without a beard on his portrait on the front, making him along withArdashir III (r. 628–630) the only Sasanian monarchs without a beard.[4]
Khosrow III | ||
| Preceded by | RivalKing of Kings of Iran and non-Iran 630 | Succeeded by |