Editing Yazdegerd I (section)

== {{anchor|Background and state of the empire}}Background ==
[[Image:BahramIVOtherCoinHistoryofIran.jpg|thumb|alt=Obverse and reverse sides of a coin of Bahram IV|[[Ancient drachma|Drachma]] of [[Bahram IV]] ({{reign|388|399}})]]
Yazdegerd I was the son of [[Shapur III]] ({{reign|383|388}}). When Yazdegerd I's brother [[Bahram IV]] ({{reign|388|399}}) was assassinated in 399, he succeeded him.{{sfn|Shahbazi|2005}} Yazdegerd I inherited an empire which had been through tumultuous times; his three previous predecessors, Bahram IV, Shapur III and [[Ardashir II]], had been murdered by the nobility.{{sfn|McDonough|2013|p=604 (note 3)}}{{sfn|Wiesehöfer|2018}} Most of the high nobility belonged to the powerful [[Parthia]]n noble families (known as the ''[[wuzurgan]]'') who were centered on the [[Iranian Plateau]].{{sfn|McDonough|2013|p=604}} The backbone of the Sasanian [[Feudalism|feudal]] army, they were largely autonomous.{{sfn|McDonough|2013|p=604}}

The Sasanian [[shah]]s had little control of the ''wuzurgan'', and attempts to restrict them were usually costly to the shah (as indicated by the fate of the three previous shahs).{{sfn|McDonough|2013|p=604 (see also note 3)}} The Parthian nobility worked for the Sasanian shah for personal benefits, out of loyalty, and (possibly) an awareness of the [[Arya (Iran)|Aryan]], ie. Iranian, kinship they shared with their [[Persian people|Persian]] overlords.{{sfn|McDonough|2013|p=604}} Late in Yazdegerd's reign, the powerful Parthian [[House of Suren]] became powerful associates of the shah and played a key role in the affairs of the empire.{{sfn|Pourshariati|2008|p=62}} The authority of the Suren family flourished until the end of the reign of Yazdegerd's grandson, [[Yazdegerd II]] ({{reign|438|457}}).{{sfn|Pourshariati|2008|p=62}}