Bistam: Parthian general, rebel against Sasanian Persia from 591/592 to 597.
Bistam
Main deeds:
Name: Bistam
During the war between the Sasanian king Hormizd IV and the Turks, the Parthian commander Bahram revolted against his Sasanian overlord. He overthrew Hormizd but was in his turn overthrown by Hormizd's son Khusrau II, who was supported by the Byzantines. Bahram fled to the Turks and was assassinated.
Beginning of reign: 591/592 (contested)
Khusrau rewarded his allies and punished his enemies. Having executed a relative of his ally Bistam, a Parthian who had supported him, Bistam revolted and received support from Bahram's followers.
After seven years, Bistam was defeated by Khusrau and assassinated.
End of reign: 597 (contested)
General Literature on Sasanian Persia
Touraj Daryaee, Sasanian Persia. The Rise and Fall of an Empire (2009)
Josef Wiesehöfer, Das antike Persien. Von 550 v. Chr. bis 650 n. Chr. (1994)
