https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Hormizd_I_KushanshahHormizd I Kushanshah - Revision history2026-07-31T22:18:41ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Hormizd_I_Kushanshah&diff=503093&oldid=prevSiddharth Darnal at 14:43, 8 May 20262026-05-08T14:43:20Z<p></p>
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{{short description|Ruler of the Kushano-Sasanian Kingdom}}<br />
{{Infobox royalty<br />
| name = Hormizd I Kushanshah<br />
| title =<br />
| image = Hormizd I Kushanshah Merv mint.jpg<br />
| image_size = 300<br />
| caption = Coin of Hormizd I Kushanshah, [[Merv|Marw]] mint<br />
| succession = [[Kushanshah]] of the [[Kushano-Sasanian Kingdom]]<br />
| reign = 275–300<br />
| coronation = <br />
| full name = <br />
| predecessor = [[Peroz I Kushanshah]]<br />
| successor = [[Hormizd II Kushanshah]]<br />
| spouse =<br />
| issue =<br />
| royal house =<br />
| dynasty = <br />
| father = [[Bahram I]]<br />
| mother =<br />
| birth_date =<br />
| birth_place = <br />
| death_date = 300<br />
| death_place =<br />
| religion = [[Zoroastrianism]]<br />
| date of burial = <br />
| place of burial = <br />
}}<br />
'''Hormizd I Kushanshah''' was [[Kushanshah]] of the [[Kushano-Sasanian Kingdom]] from 275 to 300. His reign was marked by his rebellion against his brother and suzerain the [[Sasanian Empire|Sasanian]] [[King of Kings]] [[Bahram II]] ({{reign|274|293}}). <br />
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Hormizd I Kushanshah was notably the first Kushano-Sasanian ruler to claim the title of "Great Kushan King of Kings" instead of the traditional "Great Kushan King". This displays a noteworthy transition in Kushano-Sasanian ideology and self-perception and possibly a direct dispute with the ruling branch of the Sasanian family. By the time of Bahram II's death in 293, Hormizd I Kushanshah's rebellion had been suppressed; he continued to rule until his death in 300, and was succeeded by his namesake [[Hormizd II Kushanshah]].<br />
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== Etymology ==<br />
''Hormizd'' (also spelled ''Ōhrmazd'', ''Hormozd'') is the [[Middle Persian]] version of the name of the supreme [[deity]] in [[Zoroastrianism]], known in [[Avestan]] as [[Ahura Mazda]].{{sfn|Shayegan|2004|pp=462–464}} The [[Old Persian]] equivalent is ''Auramazdā'', while the [[Greek language|Greek]] [[transliteration]] is ''Hormisdas''.{{sfn|Shayegan|2004|pp=462–464}}{{sfn|Vevaina|Canepa|2018|page=1110}}<br />
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== Background ==<br />
Like the previous Kushano-Sasanians, Hormizd I Kushanshah was, in effect, a governor of the eastern portion of the [[Sasanian Empire]], which included the [[Tukharistan]] region, [[Kabulistan]] and [[Gandhara]].{{sfn|Payne|2016|p=6}}{{sfn|Rezakhani|2017|p=72}} The Kushano-Sasanians, in the same manner as the [[Kushan Empire]], used the title of [[Kushanshah]] ("Kushan King"), thus demonstrating a continuum with their predecessors.{{sfn|Rezakhani|2017|p=72}} Hormizd I Kushanshah was probably a son of the Sasanian king [[Bahram I]] ({{reign|271|274}}), who died in 274 and was succeeded by another son, [[Bahram II]] ({{reign|274|293}}).{{sfn|Shahbazi|2004}} It was during the reign of his brother that Hormizd I Kushanshah choose to rebel.{{sfn|Shahbazi|2004}}<br />
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== Reign ==<br />
[[File:Naghsh-e rostam, Irán, 2016-09-24, DD 10.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.35|The victory of [[Bahram II]] (left) over Hormizd I Kushanshah (right) is depicted in the bottom panel at [[Naqsh-e Rustam]] (the top panel is the "victory" of Bahram II over Roman Emperor [[Carus]]).{{sfn|Shahbazi|2004}}]]<br />
Hormizd I Kushanshah was the first Kushano-Sasanian ruler to mint coins with the title of "Great Kushan King of Kings" instead of the traditional "Great Kushan King".The exact dates of Hormizd I Kushanshah’s reign remain uncertain and are primarily reconstructed through numismatic evidence rather than contemporary historical records.{{sfn|Rezakhani|2017|p=81}} The Kushano-Sasanian king, now laying claims to the title of King of Kings, which had originally also been used by the Kushan Empire, displays a noteworthy transition in Kushano-Sasanian ideology and self-perception and possibly a direct dispute with the ruling branch of the Sasanian family.{{sfn|Rezakhani|2017|p=81}}<br />
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Hormizd I Kushanshah was supported in his efforts by the [[Sakastan (Sasanian province)|Sakastanis]], [[Gelae (tribe)|Gelae]], and Kushans.{{sfn|Daryaee|2014|p=11}} Another revolt also occurred in Sakastan, led by Hormizd I Kushanshah's cousin [[Hormizd of Sakastan]], who has been suggested to be the same person as him.{{sfn|Shahbazi|2004}} However, according to [[Khodadad Rezakhani|Rezakhani]], this proposal must now be disregarded.{{sfn|Rezakhani|2017|p=81}} At the same time, a revolt led by a high-priest (''[[mowbed]]'') occurred in the province of [[Khuzistan (Sasanian province)|Khuzestan]], which was seized by the latter for a period.{{sfn|Daryaee|2014|pp=11–12}}<br />
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Meanwhile, the [[Roman Empire|Roman]] emperor [[Carus]], hearing of the civil war occurring in the Sasanian Empire, chose to take advantage of the situation by making a campaign into the empire in 283.{{sfn|Shahbazi|2004}} He invaded [[Mesopotamia]] while Bahram II was in the east, and even besieged the Sasanian capital of [[Ctesiphon]] without facing much fighting.{{sfn|Daryaee|2014|p=12}}{{sfn|Shahbazi|1988|pp=514–522}} The Sasanians, due to facing severe internal problems, were unable to mount an effective coordinated defense at the time; Carus and his army may have captured Ctesiphon.{{sfn|Potter|2013|p=26}} However, Carus shortly died afterwards, reportedly being struck by lightning.{{sfn|Potter|2013|p=26}} The Roman army as a result withdrew, and Mesopotamia was re-conquered by the Sasanians.{{sfn|Shahbazi|1988|pp=514–522}} The following year, Bahram II made peace with the Romans, now ruled by [[Diocletian]], who was faced with internal issues of his own.{{sfn|Shahbazi|1988|pp=514–522}}{{sfn|Daryaee|2014|p=12}} <br />
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By the time of Bahram II's death in 293, the revolts in the east had been suppressed, with his son and heir [[Bahram III]] being appointed the governor of Sakastan, receiving the title of ''[[sakanshah]]'' ("King of the Saka").{{sfn|Shahbazi|1988|pp=514–522}}{{sfn|Daryaee|2014|p=12}} Hormizd I Kushanshah ruled till 300, and was succeeded by his namesake [[Hormizd II Kushanshah]].{{sfn|Rezakhani|2017|p=81–82}}<br />
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== Coinage ==<br />
[[File:Hormizd I Kushanshah circa AD 285-300.jpg|thumb|Gold coin of Hormizd I Kushanshah, imitating the [[Kushan Empire|Kushan]] coins, with the deity [[Oesho]] on the reverse.]]<br />
Coins of Hormizd I Kushanshah were minted at [[Kabul]], [[Balkh]], [[Herat]], and [[Merv|Marw]].{{sfn|Shahbazi|2004}} The synchronicity of the Kushano-Sasanians with the rulers of the Kushan Empire is rather well established, as a large quantity of the early copper coins of Hormizd I Kushanshah from the south of the [[Hindu-Kush]] were overstruck by the Kushan Emperor [[Vasudeva II]] ({{reign|275|300}}).{{sfn|Cribb|2018|p=21}} Some of Hormizd I Kushanshah's coins imitate Kushan coinage, with king standing in Kushan military dress on the obverse, and the deity [[Oesho]] on the reverse.{{sfn|Shahbazi|2004}} Other coins however follow more closely the Sasanian pattern, with him being portrayed in the Sasanian style, and with [[fire altar]] or deity on the reverse.{{sfn|Shahbazi|2004}}<br />
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On the obverse of the coins, Hormizd I Kushanshah is wearing a crown shaped as the head of a lion.{{sfn|Curtis|2007|p=433}} The lion was a symbol of [[Nana (Kushan goddess)|Nana]], the eastern counterpart to [[Anahita]], the goddess of fertility, and was a derivative of the Mesopotamian goddess [[Inanna]].{{sfn|Curtis|2007|p=433}} Lions, along with leopards and cats were regarded as evil animals in Zoroastrianism, and were thus disfavoured.{{sfn|Curtis|2007|p=433}} Nevertheless, the lion may have been chosen as the symbol of Nana/Anahita by the Kushano-Sasanians, regardless of its unfavorable implication.{{sfn|Curtis|2007|p=433}}<br />
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A couple of overstrikes on coins of Hormizd I by the [[Parataraja]] ruler Datayola are known.<ref>* {{cite book |last=Tandon |first=Pankaj |editor-last=Piper |editor-first1=Wilfried |title=Ancient Indian Coins: A Comprehensive Catalogue |date=2021 |publisher=IIRNS Publications |isbn=9789392280016 |location=Nasik, India |chapter= The Paratarajas|page=14 |chapter-url=http://coinindia.com/ParatarajasCatalogue.pdf}}</ref><br />
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==References==<br />
{{reflist|2}}<br />
<br />
==Sources==<br />
* {{cite journal |last1=Curtis|first1=Vesta Sarkhosh|title=Religious iconography on ancient Iranian coins |journal=Journal of Late Antiquity |date=2007 |pages=413–434| location = London|url=https://www.academia.edu/6186849|url-access=registration}}<br />
* {{cite book | title = Sasanian Persia: The Rise and Fall of an Empire | year = 2014 | publisher = I.B.Tauris | last = Daryaee| first = Touraj | author-link = Touraj Daryaee | pages = 1–240 | isbn = 978-0857716668 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=LU0BAwAAQBAJ }}<br />
* {{cite book |last1=Potter |first1=David |author-link1=David Stone Potter |title=Constantine the Emperor |date=2013 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0199755868}}<br />
* {{cite book | title = The History of Ancient Iran | year = 1984 | publisher = C.H.Beck | last = Frye | first = Richard Nelson | author-link = Richard Nelson Frye | pages = [https://archive.org/details/historyofancient0000frye/page/n20 1]–411 | isbn = 9783406093975 | url = https://archive.org/details/historyofancient0000frye| url-access = registration | quote = The history of ancient iran. }}<br />
* {{cite encyclopedia | article = Bahrām II | last = Shahbazi | first = A. Shapur | url = http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/bahram-02 | encyclopedia = Encyclopaedia Iranica, Vol. III, Fasc. 5 | pages = 514–522 | year = 1988 }}<br />
* {{citation|last=Frye|first=R. N.|title=The political history of Iran under the Sasanians|chapter=Chapter 4|series=[[The Cambridge History of Iran]]|volume=3|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=1983|isbn=978-0-521-20092-9 | issue=1}}<br />
*{{cite encyclopedia|title=Hormozd Kusansah |first=A. Shapur |last=Shahbazi |encyclopedia=Encyclopaedia Iranica |url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/hormozd-kusansah |year=2004 }}<br />
* {{cite book | title = ReOrienting the Sasanians: East Iran in Late Antiquity | year = 2017 | publisher = Edinburgh University Press | last = Rezakhani | first = Khodadad | pages = 1–256 | isbn = 9781474400305 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=bjRWDwAAQBAJ&q=false}}<br />
* {{cite book |last1=Cribb |first1=Joe |title=Problems of Chronology in Gandhāran Art: Proceedings of the First International Workshop of the Gandhāra Connections Project, University of Oxford, 23rd–24th March, 2017 |date=2018 |publisher=University of Oxford The Classical Art Research Centre Archaeopress |url=https://archive.org/details/ProblemsOfChronologyInGandharanArt/page/n27}}<br />
* {{cite encyclopedia | title = Hormozd I | last = Shayegan | first = M. Rahim | url = http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/hormozd-i | encyclopedia = Encyclopaedia Iranica, Vol. XII, Fasc. 5 | pages = 462–464 | year = 2004 }}<br />
* {{ODLA|last1=Vevaina|first1=Yuhan|last2=Canepa|first2=Matthew|title=Ohrmazd|url=http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780198662778.001.0001/acref-9780198662778-e-3439?rskey=yx9iQR&result=10}}<br />
* {{cite journal |last1=Payne |first1=Richard |title=The Making of Turan: The Fall and Transformation of the Iranian East in Late Antiquity |journal=Journal of Late Antiquity |date=2016 |volume=9 |pages=4–41 |publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press |location=Baltimore |url=https://www.academia.edu/27438947 |url-access=registration |doi=10.1353/jla.2016.0011 |s2cid=156673274}}<br />
<br />
{{s-start}}<br />
{{s-bef|before=[[Peroz I Kushanshah]]}}<br />
{{s-ttl|title=[[Kushanshah]] of the [[Kushano-Sasanian Kingdom]]|years= 275–300}}<br />
{{s-aft|after=[[Hormizd II Kushanshah]]}}<br />
{{s-end}}<br />
{{Kushanshahs of the Kushano-Sasanian Kingdom}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Kushanshahs]]<br />
[[Category:3rd-century monarchs in Asia]]<br />
[[Category:3rd-century Iranian people]]<br />
[[Category:Rebellions against the Sasanian Empire]]<br />
[[Category:3rd-century births]]<br />
[[Category:3rd-century deaths]]<br />
[[Category:Monarchs of the Kushano-Sasanian Kingdom]]</div>Siddharth Darnal