Until 459 and the reign of Vahram’s grandson, Pirooz, the Sasanian empire spent her hey-days. Pirooz, unlike his ancestors, was a man of war. Pirooz faced some competition at the beginning of his reign, and had to fight and kill his brother, Hormozd III in a war, during which, their mother, Deenig, ruled the country. Pirooz generally was fed up with the peace, and needed some activity. Fortunately for him, the hand of fate provided a fresh enemy for him, unstoppable savages known in as HUNS! Attacking the north-eastern borders of Sasanian empire, White Huns, like their European cousins, started pillaging the prosperous Sasani cities. Pirooz himself commanding a huge army, attacked the Huns. He was successful in occasions, but in one occasion in which he obviously was not successful, he found himself in the gaol of Hun leader. Pirooz bought his freedom by paying a hefty ransom and promising the Huns a piece of land to live, what we now call Tajikstan. Not being true to his word, obviously, he attacked the Huns again in 484, and this time seeing that it is not worth the trouble, the Hun Khaan slaughtered the proud Sasanian emperor on the spot.
This, needless to say, did not leave a good impression on courtiers and priest back in Ctesiphon who saw an opportunity to regain the power they had lost 150 years ago under Shapur II. By choosing Pirooz’ weak brother Valash to the throne, Sasanian aristocracy sought to restore their own golden days as the rulers of the empire. Regrettably, they overlooked the existence of a certain Kavad, son of the late Pirooz. This particular creature, being of outstanding background as a well-educated and well-trained prince, did not let his mellow uncle to experience the good aspects of being the emperor. In 488, Kavad decided that it was his turn to sit on the throne, so he very politely asked Valash to yield the way before he comes to regret it.
| Kavad I and Mazdak | Beginning of the End |
| End of the Sasanian Empire |