HOME | DD

Description

When the Sassanians overthrew their Parthian overlords they had to secure the support of the very powerful noble Pahlav Clans. These Great Agnatic Clans were called vuzurgân in Middle-Persian. As their Arsacid lords these Clans were of Parthian origin. In getting the support of the six Pahlav Clans the Sassanids were finally successful, mostly due to the fact that in the late years of their rule the Parthians had more and more alienated the vuzurgân with their increasing civil wars and dramatic defeats suffered by Roman forces.

And so the Sassanians formed a new pact with the Pahlav. However, from the beginning there was a power struggle between the kings and these six great Clans with often bad results for the empire and finally these power struggles was disunity which led to the destruction of Eran-Shahr by the Muslims in the 7th century AD.

The Sûrên-Pahlav, residing in north-western Persian region of Seistan in their vast estates, are well-known. It was a Sûrên, who crushed the Roman invasion of Parthia undertaken by Crassus in 53 BC, but afterwards he was murdered by the jealous king. That shattered the relationship between the Sûrên and the Arsacids forever and when centuries later the Sassanians rebelled against the Arsacids the Sûrên were the first to support them. For this the Sûrên were among the most trusted on the Sassanid court and second to the kings.

Many Roman sources speak of the „Surena“ as if it was a honorary title, this showing their vast influence though the centuries.

Due to their vast wealth they were capable to field large retinues, equipped with the best weapons and armor available. When the King went to war he had to call for the support of those lords. They called for their own vassals and sent large cavalry and infantry contingents to the Royal army. While the infantry were mostly bad equipped and low-trained levies, the cavalry belonged to the Savaran, the most elite forces of Eran-Shahr.

Asavârân were heavy cavalry, belonging to the clibinari with both man and horse protected by high quality armour. Asavârân were well-versed in fighting with lance fighting and melee weapons. and so excellent shock cavalry, they closed and attacked as fast as they could with lance, and fight, if neccessary, with sword, axe and mace.

Description

When the Sassanians overthrew their Parthian overlords they had to secure the support of the very powerful noble Pahlav Clans. These Great Agnatic Clans were called vuzurgân in Middle-Persian. As their Arsacid lords these Clans were of Parthian origin. In getting the support of the six Pahlav Clans the Sassanids were finally successful, mostly due to the fact that in the late years of their rule the Parthians had more and more alienated the vuzurgân with their increasing civil wars and dramatic defeats suffered by Roman forces.

And so the Sassanians formed a new pact with the Pahlav. However, from the beginning there was a power struggle between the kings and these six great Clans with often bad results for the empire and finally these power struggles was disunity which led to the destruction of Eran-Shahr by the Muslims in the 7th century AD.

The Sûrên-Pahlav, residing in north-western Persian region of Seistan in their vast estates, are well-known. It was a Sûrên, who crushed the Roman invasion of Parthia undertaken by Crassus in 53 BC, but afterwards he was murdered by the jealous king. That shattered the relationship between the Sûrên and the Arsacids forever and when centuries later the Sassanians rebelled against the Arsacids the Sûrên were the first to support them. For this the Sûrên were among the most trusted on the Sassanid court and second to the kings.

Many Roman sources speak of the „Surena“ as if it was a honorary title, this showing their vast influence though the centuries.

Due to their vast wealth they were capable to field large retinues, equipped with the best weapons and armor available. When the King went to war he had to call for the support of those lords. They called for their own vassals and sent large cavalry and infantry contingents to the Royal army. While the infantry were mostly bad equipped and low-trained levies, the cavalry belonged to the Savaran, the most elite forces of Eran-Shahr.

Asavârân were heavy cavalry, belonging to the clibinari with both man and horse protected by high quality armour. Asavârân were well-versed in fighting with lance fighting and melee weapons. and so excellent shock cavalry, they closed and attacked as fast as they could with lance, and fight, if neccessary, with sword, axe and mace.