Narses (Sāsānian emperor)
Narses was a notable emperor of the Sāsānian Empire, serving from 293 CE after a series of conflicts regarding succession among his family. He was the son of Shāpūr I, the second ruler of the empire, although little is known about his early life. Initially recognized as the “Mazda-worshipping king of India, Sistan, and Turan,” he later became known as the "king of the Armenians." His rule marked the end of the direct line of Shāpūr I, as he was the last of his brothers to ascend the throne.
Narses is known for reversing the more restrictive religious policies of his predecessors, promoting a climate of tolerance toward various faiths, including Manichaeanism. However, his reign was not without challenges; he faced military setbacks against the Romans, culminating in a treaty in 296 CE that resulted in territorial concessions. Notably, during his reign, Armenia underwent significant religious transformation, converting to Christianity, which began to influence the broader Sāsānian Empire. Narses successfully passed the throne to his son Hormizd II, thereby shaping the future of leadership in the empire.
Narses (Sāsānian emperor)
Related civilizations: Sāsānian Persia, Imperial Rome
Major role/position: Emperor, military leader
Life
Narses (NAHR-seez) was a son of Shāpūr I, the second ruler of the Sāsānian Empire. Nothing is known of his early life and birth. He is mentioned in the trilingual inscription of Shāpūr at Naqsh-e Rostam (c. 262 c.e.) as “the Mazda-worshipping king of India, Sistan, and Turan to the shore of the sea,” and a fire altar is dedicated to him. The next mention of him is as “king of the Armenians” in his own bilingual inscription of Paikuli.
Apparently, there was an agreement that the sons of Shāpūr I would succeed him in order of seniority until the last son was dead. However, when Bahrām I died, his son Bahrām II succeeded him. This must have angered Narses because after his succession, Narses erased the name of Bahrām from several rock reliefs. Some nobles must have supported Narses’ claim because revolts occurred during the reign of Bahrām II, and when Bahrām III ascended to the throne after the death of his father, various nobles rallied behind Narses, who defeated his enemies and became emperor in 293 c.e.
Narses reversed the religious policy of the Bahrāms, becoming more tolerant of Manichaeans and others. His wars with the Romans ended in defeat, and in a 296 c.e. treaty, he ceded land in Mesopotamia and parts of Armenia to Rome. Because Narses was the last of the sons of Shāpūr to rule, he was able to pass the throne to his son Hormizd II. During Narses’ reign, Armenia converted to Christianity, which also began to spread in the Sāsānian Empire.
Influence
Narses determined the future succession to the throne and revived his father’s policy of religious tolerance.
Bibliography
Frye, Richard. N. History of Ancient Iran. Munich: C. H. Beck, 1984.
Humbach, Helmut, and Prods O. Skjaervo. The Sassanian Inscription of Paikuli. Wiesbaden, Germany: Harrasowitz, 1978.