Sassanian succession struggles : an analysis of the legitimisation practices of early seventh eentury Sassanian rulers in comparison with their predecessors

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: From 628 CE to 632 CE, in the late Sassanian period, there were possibly eleven royalsuccessors to the Sassanian throne. This indicates instability and that the Sassanian dynastywas politically weakened. A succession crisis had developed. This study presents an attemptto understand one aspect of the political milieu of the succession crisis period, namely thelegitimisation practices of the late Sassanian rulers. Therefore, the tools that were used forlegitimisation by the Sassanian monarchs from the succession crisis period, and how theywere used, are investigated. To better understand how the legitimisation tools available toSassanian monarchs developed the political techniques used by the succession crisismonarchs will be compared with the early Sassanian monarchs of 224 CE to 302 CE(Ardashir 1, Shapur I, Hormizd I, Wahram I, Wahram II, Wahram III and Narseh). Thecomparison contributes to an improved understanding of the 7th century Sassanian successionstruggles by tracking the changes in the techniques and practices Sassanian rulers utilised inthe Empire to legitimise their rule. Such changes are rooted in the wider politico-historicalcontexts within which the Sassanian monarchs excercised their authority. The study will openwith an investigation of the major political events of the 7th century CE that had an effect onthe succession struggles and political events in the Sassanian Empire. One of the primarysources that are used is The History of Prophets and Kings by the 10th century CE Arabichistorian Jarir al-Tabari. Physical evidence of the Sassanian monarchs like coinage, rockreliefs and silver bowls will also be used as primary sources and analysed to betterunderstand the propaganda used by the Sassanian monarchs. The material propagandatechniques used by Sassanian monarchs from the early period and late period changed. Thereasons behind the changes are highlighted and these reasons are furthermore explained. Thestudy concludes that the Sassanian monarchs from the succession crisis period had ashrinking pool of legitimisation resources and that they had to legitimise their rule in a shortperiod of time in view of internal opposition. As a result, the Sassanian monarchs from theperiod focused on legitimisation techniques that were not a drain on resources and couldquickly influence the perception of people. The political legitimisation of the last Sassanianmonarchs ultimately failed though as the Sassanian dynasty only continued to reign foranother 23 years after 628 CE. The failure of the legitimisation of the Sassanian dynastycould be largely attributed to the internal opposition and the damaging war against theByzantine Empire.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University