Spahbod

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Spahbod or Spahbed (Persian: سپهبد, in new Persian Sepahbod, is derived from the words Spah سپه army bod بد master ) also alternatively Spah Salar (سپهسالار) was a rank used in the Parthian empire and more widely in Sassanid Empire of Persia (Iran) continued in usage after Islamic conquest of Persia in both native Iranian dynasties and those who were under Persian influence such as Armenian (see Sparapet) and Georgian kingdoms.

Used alone, it refers to the senior military officer but when it is used with Eran (Iran), Eran Spahbod ايران سپهبد or Iran Spahbod, is equivalent to field marshal or generalissimo of the Empire. It was the highest military rank before the emperor Shahanshah (king of the kings) himself. He acted as commander-in chief as well as the Minister of War and as a chief peace negotiator. Lesser spahbods could command a field army while the regional Marzbans could be regarded as field marshals.

During the Pahlavi dynasty in 20th century, Pahlavi army reinforced the usage of many ancient Sassanid military ranks including Spahbod. The rank Spahbod in Pahlavi army was equivalent to Commander in chief.

Contents 1 Famous Eran spahbods 1.1 Parthian dynasty 1.2 Sassanid dynasty 1.3 Pahlavi dynasty 2 See also 3 External link

[edit] Famous Eran spahbods

[edit] Parthian dynasty

• Rustaham Suren-Pahlav (Surena)

[edit] Sassanid dynasty

• Azarethes
• Bahram Chobin
• Rhahzadh
• Rostam Farrokhzād
• Shahin
• Shahrbaraz

[edit] Pahlavi dynasty

• Ahmad Amir-Ahmadi
• Amanullah Jahanbani

[edit] See also

• Sassanid army
• Marzban

[edit] External link

• Rika Gyselen "Spahbed"