Chihor-Vishnasp Suren, also known as Chihr-Gushnasp and Suren, was an
Iranian
Iranian () may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to Iran
** Iranian diaspora, Iranians living outside Iran
** Iranian architecture, architecture of Iran and parts of the rest of West Asia
** Iranian cuisine, cooking traditions and practic ...
military officer from the
Suren family, who served as the governor (''
marzban
Marzbān, or Marzpān (Middle Persian: 𐭬𐭫𐭱𐭰𐭠𐭭𐭯 transliteration: mrzwpn, derived from Middle Persian: 𐭬𐭫𐭱 ''marz'' "border, boundary" and the Middle Persian suffix: 𐭡𐭭𐭯 ''-pān'' "guardian"; Modern Persian: ...
'') of
Persian Armenia from 564 until his murder on 23 February 572 by the
Armenian
Armenian may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to Armenia, a country in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia
* Armenians, the national people of Armenia, or people of Armenian descent
** Armenian diaspora, Armenian communities around the ...
rebel Vardan III Mamikonian.
Biography
A member of the Suren family and a relative of the Sasanian king
Khosrau I himself, Chihor-Vishnasp enjoyed a high status, and served as the ''hazarapet'' (minister of the interior) of Persian Armenia, before he was appointed as the ''marzban'' of the province in 564. During this period, the Armenian aristocracy was split between two parties, the national one which was headed by a member of the
Mamikonian
Mamikonian or Mamikonean () was an Armenian aristocratic dynasty which dominated Armenia between the 4th and 8th centuries—through the late antique kingdom, Sasanian, Byzantine, and Arab dominations. They were the most notable noble house in ...
family, and a pro-Sasanian one, which was headed by a member of the
Siunia family.
Chihor Vishnasp not only harshly treated the Christian Armenians who were suspected of secretly siding with the
Byzantines, but also did the same with the rest of the Christian Armenian population. Claiming to exploit on the command of the king, he persecuted the Christian Armenians and even built a fire-temple in their capital,
Dvin. These actions soon resulted in a massive uprising in late 571 or early 572, which was led by
Vardan III Mamikonian. On 23 February 572, the Armenian rebels managed to capture Dvin, and had Chihor-Vishnasp killed.
References
Sources
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{{Marzbans of Persian Armenia
572 deaths
6th-century Iranian people
Sasanian governors of Armenia
Year of birth unknown
Military personnel killed in action
House of Suren
Generals of Khosrow I