Mihranids

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This article is about the dynasty. There is also a Kurdish tribal federation by the name of Mihrani

The Mihranids were the ruling dynasty of Caucasian Albania. They claimed to be of Sassanian Persian descent but were probably of Parthian origin.[1][2]

The dynasty was founded when certain Mihran, a distant relative of Sasanids, settled in the region of Gardman in Albania. He was probably a member of a branch of the Mihranid family which was listed among the Seven Great Houses of Iran, and whose two other lines ruled Iberia (Chosroid Dynasty) and Gogarene.[3] Mihran's family came to power, when Mihran's great-grandson killed all the members of the previous ruling dynasty and became the ruler of the country.[4]

The most prominent representatives of the family in the 7th century were Varaz-Grigor, his son Javanshir, and Varaz-Trdat I. Mihranids assumed a Persian title of Arranshahs (i.e. shahs of Arran, Persian name of Albania). The family's rule came to an end after the assassination of Varaz-Trdat II by Nerseh Pilippean in 822-23.[1] Sahl ibn-Sunbat (or Sahl i Smbatean) assumed the title of Arranshah and ruled significant part of Caucasian Albania.


[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Encyclopedia Iranica. C. E. Bosworth. Arran
  2. ^ Encyclopedia Iranica. M. L. Chaumont. Albania.
  3. ^ Toumanoff, Cyril. Chronology of the Early Kings of Iberia. Traditio 25 (1969), p. 22.
  4. ^ Moses Kalankatuatsi. History of country of Aluank. Chapter XVII. About the tribe of Mihran, hailing from the family of Khosrow the Sasanian, who became the ruler of the country of Aluank