Dad-windad (also spelled Dad-bendad) was a Parthian grandee, who served as the chief secretary ('' dabirbad'') of the last Arsacid monarch, Artabanus IV (). He took part in the climactic battle of Hormozdgan in 224 between the Arsacid and

Sasanian The Sasanian Empire (), officially Eranshahr ( , "Empire of the Iranians"), was an Iranian empire that was founded and ruled by the House of Sasan from 224 to 651. Enduring for over four centuries, the length of the Sasanian dynasty's reign ...

forces, which resulted in the defeat and death of Artabanus IV, with Dad-windad meeting his end shortly afterwards.

Biography

Dad-windad served as the chief secretary, which was a powerful post but also a risky one, with the possibility of a harsh penalty or even death. On April 28 224, Dad-Windad took part in the climactic battle of Hormozdgan between the Arsacid and

forces. The forces of the Sasanian king Ardashir I numbered 10,000 cavalry, with some of them wearing flexible chain armor akin to that of the Romans. Artabanus IV led a greater number of soldiers, who, however, were less disposed, due to wearing the inconvenient lamellar armor. Ardashir's son and heir,

Shapur I Shapur I (also spelled Shabuhr I; ) was the second Sasanian Empire, Sasanian King of Kings of Iran. The precise dating of his reign is disputed, but it is generally agreed that he ruled from 240 to 270, with his father Ardashir I as co-regent u ...

, as portrayed in the Sasanian

rock relief A rock relief or rock-cut relief is a relief, relief sculpture carved on solid or "living rock" such as a cliff, rather than a detached piece of stone. They are a category of rock art, and sometimes found as part of, or in conjunction ...

s, also took part in the battle. Artabanus IV was defeated and killed during the battle, which marked the end of the Parthian era and the start of 427-years of Sasanian rule. Dad-windad was afterwards executed by Ardashir I. Ardashir I celebrated his victory in a relief sculptured at his previous capital, Ardashir-Khwarrah (present-day Firuzabad) in his homeland, Pars. On the relief, Ardashir I is portrayed as riding on a horse whilst ousting Artabanus IV, who is also mounted. Ardashir I's son Shapur I, also on horseback, is portrayed as impaling Dad-windad with his lance.

References

Sources

* * * * 3rd-century Iranian people 224 deaths Year of birth unknown People from the Parthian Empire {{Iran-hist-stub