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Adur-Narseh: a king of a few months, set aside by the nobles
Adur-Narseh was a son of Hormizd II. According to Iranica, he was made king in 309 CE and after some months was deposed and killed. The reason given is his cruelty. But the sources disagree, and Tabari does not name him at all.
- reign
- a few months
Map: Ctesiphon, 309 CE
Administration & economy309 CE1 of 2
A brief reign
According to Iranica (Tafażżolī), Byzantine writers suggest that Hormizd II had two sons by his first wife, Hormizd and Adur-Narseh. Adur-Narseh was made king in 309 CE.
Certainty: DisputedThe accounts of Hormizd II’s succession differ. Tafażżolī (Iranica) says Adur-Narseh was king for some months and was deposed and killed for his cruelty. Shahbazi (Iranica, “Ardašīr II”) says the nobles “wrested” power from him, blinded a second son, and a third, Hormizd, fled to the Romans. Tabari mentions no son at all and says Hormizd died childless.
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Three separate layers
Each section has three layers: “Historical evidence” is only what the sources say; “Philosophical interpretation” is our reading by the standard of property and liberty; “Modern cultural meaning”. Quotations come only from published translations, with references.
Historical evidencePhilosophical interpretationModern cultural meaning
Dossier · 1
Who chose the king?
Tafażżolī says Adur-Narseh was killed for his cruelty. Shahbazi tells the same event this way: the leading nobles and priests wrested power from him, blinded another brother, and a third brother, Hormizd, fled to Rome. A fourth brother, Shapur the Sakanshah, was ruling in the east.
The “cruelty” was reported by the same circle that set him aside. Shahbazi states the motive plainly: the nobles made an unborn child king “to maintain their supremacy”. So the verdict on Adur-Narseh should be read with caution.
An unborn king is a king who cannot command. With this move, real power stayed for years with the nobles and priests. Neither the people had a share in the choice, nor was there a clear law of succession.
Sources: A. Tafażżolī, Encyclopaedia Iranica · A. Sh. Shahbazi, Encyclopaedia Iranica
Synthesis
Adur-Narseh is more a name in the king list than a historical figure. No coin or relief of his is known. His fate shows how far the Sasanian nobles could make and unmake kings at the start of the fourth century.
Bibliography
- A. Tafażżolī, Encyclopaedia Iranica, Ādur Narseh (1983). https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/adur-narseh/
- A. Sh. Shahbazi, Encyclopaedia Iranica, Ardašīr II (1986). https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/ardasir-ii-sasanian-king/
- A. Sh. Shahbazi, Encyclopaedia Iranica, Hormozd II (2004). https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/hormozd-ii/
All photos are from Wikimedia Commons; licence and author were checked on each file page.
Hormizd II, his fatherShapur II, his brotherThe Sasanian dynasty