Incident At The Royal Hunt

Once, when Artabanus went hunting, Ardashir and the eldest son of Artabanus began chasing an elk in the desert. As Ardashir neared the elk, he shot an arrow with such strength and skill that it pierced right through the animal’s belly and killed it instantly. Artabanus was wonder-struck. On inquiring as to whose feat it was, his eldest son attempted to appropriate this honour and accomplishment. Ardashir was furious and chided the Prince, “It is improper to appropriate the skill and heroism of another through tyranny, unpleasantness, falsehood and injustice.” Artabanus felt deeply offended and punished Ardashir by debarring him from riding a horse or accompanying the princes on hunting expeditions. He reduced Ardashir to the status of a servant at the Royal stables. When Ardashir wrote to Babakan about this incident, he replied, “You did not act wisely in disputing with great men on a matter from which no harm could have reached you, and in addressing them with rough words in public. Now repent, for the sages have said that it is not possible for an enemy to do that for an enemy, which is brought on himself by an ignorant man from his own actions.”

 

The Stars Were Changing

Meanwhile the Chief Astrologer in Artabanus’ court predicted that a new king would bring the world under the sway of one sovereign. A second astrologer divined that if any one of the male servants runs away from the king within the next three days, he will overthrow Artabanus and become the new king. As destined, Ardashir decided to run away from Rae to his home province Pars, in Southern Iran. On knowing this, Artabanus prepared an army of 4,000 men, and took the road leading to Pars in pursuit of Ardashir. It is believed that wherever Ardashir went the ‘Kayanian Khvarnah’ (Divine Glory) followed in the form of an eagle.

 

Alliance With Banak

During Ardashir’s flight to Pars, a warrior named Banak (Bohak), who was displeased with Artabanus, came to Ardashir with his six sons and soldiers. Ardashir first doubted Banak, lest the latter capture and deliver him to Artabanus. But soon he was convinced of Banak’s loyalty and celebrated this friendship by ordering a town be built and named ‘Ramishn-i-Artakhshir’ (Joy of Ardashir). He left Banak here with a detachment of cavalry, and marched onward toward the seacoast. When he finally saw the ocean before his eyes, he offered thanksgiving to Ahura Mazda and named it ‘Bukht Ardashir’. He also ordered an Atash Behram be enthroned near this seacoast. Thereafter, Ardashir returned to Banak and prepared an army. He prayed before the ancient and Holy Fire ‘Farnbagh’ and solicited spiritual gifts from it.

 

A Decisive Battle

Ardashir began recruiting soldiers in large numbers from Kerman, Mokristan, Spahan and different districts of Pars. Artabanus rallied his army from different frontiers, such as Rae [near Tehran, the Arsacid capital], Demavand [in the Alborz mountain range], Delman [modern Gilan], and Patash-khvargar [an offshoot of the Aparsen Range]. In a forty-day battle that was fought in 226 AD, Ardashir defeated Artabanus, bringing down the curtain on the Parthian Empire.

 

King Of Kings

Ardashir assumed the title ‘Shahan Shah-e-Iran’ (King of Kings of Iran), married Artabanus’s daughter, and went back to Pars. To commemorate his victory over Artabanus, he developed a city called ‘Khvarrah-Artakhshir’ (Glory of Ardashir), today known as Firuzabad, situated south of Shiraz, at an altitude of 1,300 m., abundantly watered by the Firuzabad river and by seasonal springs. The Sasanian town was a round city encircled by double walls. Ardashir ordered a high mountain to be excavated and turned the course of a river into the city through subterranean canals. He bestowed his patronage on many cities, made them prosperous and ordered the consecration of several Atash Behrams. Naqsh-e-Rajab, near Shiraz is believed by some historians to be the site where Ardashir Babakan was coroneted King.

 

Revival Of The Zoroastrian Faith

Along with his High Priest and Wazir, Tansar, Ardashir made a valiant effort to revive the ancient glory of his forefathers. The scattered fragments of the Avesta were recompiled. Ardashir assumed the role of ‘Defender of the Faith’ and combined the ‘Church’ and ‘State’ into a single federal authority. The development of the ‘Zoroastrian Church’ during the early Sasanian Empire is, however, linked more to the name of Kartir (or Kerdir), than Tansar.

 

Kartir – The High Priest

At Naqsh-e-Rajab, among other bas-reliefs, one can find the inscriptions and the face of Kartir etched in stone. Kartir’s finger in the relief is raised in a certain gesture of salutation or authority. Kartir was one of the founders of Zoroastrian orthodoxy under the early Sasanian Kings and he was almost singularly responsible for keeping actively proselytizing religions like Buddhism and Christianity under check. It was Kartir who put Mani, the heretic, to death in 242 AD, after the death of Shapur I. He also dealt ruthlessly with Zoroastrian apostates. Historians consider the Sasanians as less tolerant that the Achaemenians. However, historically, Achaemenian Kings did not have to contend with nascent and vigorously proselytizing religions like Christianity.

 

Shahpur – Son Of Ardashir

There is an interesting story concerning Ardashir’s successor, Shapur. Instigated by her brothers in exile, the daughter of Artabanus, Ardashir’s queen, decided to poison her husband. Ardashir was about to drink the poisoned milk when, it is said, the Holy Fire ‘Farnbagh’ flew into the Royal Chamber in the form of a red eagle and knocked the poisoned goblet out of Ardashir’s hand. A dog which was in the room licked the contents and instantly died. Furious, he ordered the seven-months-pregnant queen be executed. However, the wise High Priest knew Ardashir was in a rage and would repent later if the pregnant queen were executed. Accordingly, her arranged for her to be taken to a place in hiding, where in due course, she delivered a son named Shapur.

 

One day on a hunting expedition, Ardashir observed how the parents of an elk were willing to sacrifice their life to protect and save their offspring. Overcome with grief, he repented for ordering the execution of his wife and unborn child. The time, as they say, was ripe in Nature for the High Priest to reunite the remorseful father with his now seven-year-old son. The king was so overjoyed that he ordered that the place where he beheld his son for the first time be developed into a great city called ‘Raye-i-Shapur’. He also ordered that an Atash Behram be consecrated in the new city with adequate funds for its upkeep. He conferred kingship on Shapur during his lifetime.

 

The Reign Of Ardashir

Ardashir was a valiant warrior and an efficient and wise administrator. He encouraged learning, promoted trade and commerce and developed many great cities. During his 15-year rule, his subjects were happy and prosperous. Zoroastrianism, which received a severe blow under Alexander and the Macedonians, was rejuvenated with orders from the King to gather the Avesta’s scattered fragments. During his rein, several Atash Behrams were consecrated and the saintly Ardag Wiraz (Arda Viraf) performed many miracles. Arda Viraf was chosen from 40,000 Iranian priests to go in a state of trance for seven days and give a vivid account of ‘Wahisht’ (heaven), ‘Dozakh’ (hell) and ‘Hamistagan’ (purgatory).

 

Ardashir and his noble descendants are fondly remembered in history for rejuvenating and elevating Zoroastrianism to the status of State Religion of Iran for more than four centuries (226 – 641 AD.)