Editing Shirin (section)

== Origin == 
The background of Shirin is uncertain. According to the 7th-century [[Armenians|Armenian]] historian [[Sebeos]] (died after 661), she was a native of [[Khuzistan (Sasanian province)|Khuzistan]] in southwestern Iran.{{sfn|Baum|2004|p=25}} However, two [[Syriac language|Syriac]] chronicles state that she was "Aramean" i.e., from the region of [[Beth Aramaye|Assyria]].{{sfn|Orsatti|2006}} The Persian historian [[Mirkhvand]] (died 1498), writing much later, states that she used to be a servant in a Persian house which Khosrow II used to regularly visit during his teens.{{sfn|Baum|2004|pp=25–26}} The 11th-century Persian epic ''[[Shahnameh]]'' ("The Book of Kings") of [[Ferdowsi]] (died 1019/1025), which was based on the [[Middle Persian]] text ''[[Khwaday-Namag]]'' ("Book of Lords"), states that Shirin was already married to Khosrow II by the time he fled to the [[Byzantine Empire]].{{sfn|Baum|2004|p=25}} None of these reports are substantiated by earlier sources, which may indicate that they were later established legends. The early 7th-century Byzantine historian [[Theophylact Simocatta]] does not mention the names of the two women who fled with Khosrow II.{{sfn|Baum|2004|p=26}}

The tradition identifying Shirin as [[Armenians|Armenian]] is false {{sfn|Dietmar W.Winkle|2003}} and appears to be of later origin.{{sfn|Orsatti|2006}}