Editing Bahram V (section)

== Reign ==
===War with Rome===
{{main|Roman–Sasanian War of 421–422}}
[[File:Roman-Persian Frontier, 5th century.png|thumb|The Roman-Sasanian frontier]]

At the urging of the Zoroastrian priests and the [[House of Suren|Surenid]] minister (''[[wuzurg framadar]]'') [[Mihr Narseh]], Bahram V began his reign with a systematic persecution of the [[Christianity in Iran|Christians]].{{sfn|Pourshariati|2008|p=62}}{{sfn|Greatrex|Lieu|2002|pp=36–43}} The persecuted Christians fled to Roman territory, and were welcomed by the bishop of Constantinople, [[Archbishop Atticus of Constantinople|Atticus]], who informed the Emperor of the persecution. The Eastern Roman Emperor [[Theodosius II]] was at the time deeply influenced by his religious sister [[Pulcheria]], and had become more and more interested in Christianity.{{sfn|Greatrex|Lieu|2002|pp=36–43}} The Roman-Sasanian relationship already had some friction. The Sasanians had hired some Roman gold-diggers, but now refused to send them back; furthermore, they had also seized the properties of Roman merchants. So, when Sasanian ambassadors reached the Roman court to ask for the fugitives, Theodosius chose to break the peace and [[Roman–Sasanian War (421–422)|declare war]], rather than giving them back.{{sfn|Greatrex|Lieu|2002|pp=36–43}}

In the year 421, the Romans sent their general [[Ardabur (consul 427)|Ardaburius]] with an extensive contingent into Armenia. The Iranian general Narses engaged Ardaburius in battle, but was defeated and forced to retreat. Narses planned to attack [[Mesopotamia (Roman province)|Mesopotamia]], a Roman province that had been left unguarded, and moved there, but Ardaburius foresaw his enemy's plan and intercepted him there.{{sfn|Greatrex|Lieu|2002|pp=38–39}} Ardaburius shortly received reinforcements and put the fortress of [[Nisibis]] under siege, but withdrew in the face of an advancing army under Bahram, who in turn besieged Theodosiopolis (probably [[Theodosiopolis (Osroene)|Theodosiopolis]] in [[Osroene]]).{{sfn|Greatrex|Lieu|2002|pp=36–43}}

The peace treaty that ended the war (422) was negotiated by the ''[[magister officiorum]]'' Helio. It returned everything to the situation before the war (''[[status quo ante bellum]]''). Both parts agreed to reject Arab defectors of the other part, as well as to guarantee liberty of religion in their territories.{{sfn|Greatrex|Lieu|2002|pp=36–43}} Furthermore, the Romans also agreed to pay the Iranians for the protection of the pass at the Sasanian city of [[Derbent]] in the Caucasus.{{sfn|Frye|1983|p=145}} Since the peace treaty of 387, Iran and Rome had agreed that both empires were obligated to cooperate in the defense of the Caucasus against nomadic attacks.{{sfn|Shayegan|2013|p=809}} While the Romans saw this payment as political subsidies, the Iranians saw it as tribute, which proved that Rome was the deputy of Iran.{{sfn|Payne|2015|p=298}}

=== War with the Kidarites ===
[[File:"Bahram Gur Advances by Stealth against the Khaqan," Folio 577v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp MET sf1970-301-63 (cropped).jpg|thumb|16th-century [[Shahnameh]] illustration of Bahram V and his forces on their expedition against the [[Kidarites]]]]

Since the reign of Shapur II, the Iranians had to deal with nomadic invaders in the east known in scholarship as "[[Iranian Huns]]" (i.e. the [[Hephthalites]], [[Kidarites]], [[Chionites]] and [[Alchon Huns]]).{{sfn|Rezakhani|2017|pp=85–87}} Starting with Yazdegerd I, a shift had begun in the political perspective of the Sasanian Empire, which (originally disposed towards the West) moved to the East.{{sfn|Shayegan|2013|p=807}} The shift may have been triggered by hostile tribes in eastern Iran.{{sfn|Shayegan|2013|p=807}} The war with the Iranian Huns may have reawakened the mythical rivalry between the mythological [[Arya (Iran)|Iranian]] [[Kayanian]] rulers and their [[Turya (Avesta)|Turanian]] enemies, which is illustrated by Younger [[Avesta]]n texts.{{sfn|Shayegan|2013|p=807}} 

While Bahram was occupied with the war with the Romans, his eastern neighbours—Kidarites{{efn|The medieval Iranian historian [[al-Tabari]] (d. 923), who reports this event, anachronistically presents them as "Turks". Although some modern historians identify them as [[Chionites]] or [[Hephthalites]], they were most likely [[Kidarites]].{{sfn|Potts|2018|p=290}}{{sfn|Rezakhani|2017|pp=99–100 (see also note 17)}}}}—crossed the [[Oxus river]] and invaded the Sasanian realm, conquering the rich city of [[Merv|Marw]] and even reaching as far as westwards as [[Ray, Iran|Ray]].{{sfn|Traina|2011|p=122}} Bahram was thus forced to pay tribute to the Kidarites, in order to stop their incursions into his empire. When he had made peace with the Romans in 422, he started preparing to deal with the Kidarites. Not only was Marw a rich city, but also an important trading spot on the [[Silk Road]], which passed through [[Central Asia]] and continued through Iran to Europe.{{sfn|Traina|2011|pp=122–124}} Bahram first went to the holy temple of [[Adur Gushnasp]] in [[Adurbadagan]], where he prayed.{{sfn|Al-Tabari|1985–2007|loc=v. 5: p. 95}} He then proceeded to Armenia to recruit additional troops.{{sfn|Traina|2011|pp=124–125}}

Leaving his minister Mihr Narseh as his regent,{{sfn|Daryaee|2000}} Bahram passed through the mountain chain on the southern shore of the [[Caspian Sea]], eventually reaching Merv. There his forces routed the Kidarites, killing their king in the process and capturing his wife.{{sfn|Traina|2011|p=125}}{{sfn|Al-Tabari|1985–2007|loc=v. 5: pp. 95–96}} A general of Bahram pursued the Kidarites into [[Transoxiana]] and inflicted another defeat on them.{{sfn|Traina|2011|p=125}} The war was concluded in 427,{{sfn|Traina|2011|p=122}} with Bahram cementing his name as a great champion of Iran.{{sfn|Howard-Johnston|2012|p=89}} The name of Bahram was long remembered amongst the people of the surrounding area; the [[Sogdia]]n city of [[Bukhara]] would later mint coins with his image.{{sfn|Traina|2011|p=125}} Bahram erected a pillar at the Oxus, which marked that the river constituted his empire's eastern frontier.{{efn|The pillar was later destroyed by his grandson [[Peroz I]].{{sfn|Rezakhani|2017|p=128}}}}{{sfn|Traina|2011|p=125}}{{sfn|Potts|2018|p=291}}{{sfn|Rezakhani|2017|p=99}} 

In [[Persian mythology|Iranian mythology]], the Oxus is often considered the eastern extent of Iran. The heroic archer [[Arash]] shot an arrow to the fringe of [[Greater Khorasan|Khorasan]], landing at the Oxus, which thus marked the limit of the Iranian border. Another figure, [[Esfandiyar]], thudded his spear onto the ground at [[Balkh]], warning the Hun king that progressing further would mean an invasion of Iran.{{sfn|Payne|2015|pp=294–295}} Bahram thus believed that he had restored the ancient borders of his realm.{{sfn|Payne|2015|p=295}} He appointed his brother Narseh as the governor of the surrounding region.{{sfn|Traina|2011|p=125}} Bahram also founded (or refounded) the city of [[Marw al-Rudh|Marw-i Rot]], near the city of Marw.{{sfn|Potts|2018|p=291}} In order to demonstrate his appreciation to the Zoroastrian supreme god [[Ahura Mazda]], Bahram bestowed most of his booty to Adur Gushnasp.{{sfn|Kia|2016|p=238}}

=== Incorporation of Armenia ===
[[File:Map of Persian Armenia and its surroundings.svg|right|300px|thumb|Map of [[Sasanian Armenia]]]]

Bahram V appointed [[Artaxias IV]] as king of Armenia in 422 at the request of the ''[[nakharar]]s'', reportedly on the term that the Armenian prince called himself the Middle Persian name Ardashir.{{sfn|Chaumont|1986|pp=418–438}} However, the newly appointed king lacked the character he needed to rule and attain respect amongst his countrymen. As a result he fell out with the ''nakharar'', who wanted Bahram V to remove Artaxias IV and put it under the direct control of Iran.{{sfn|Traina|2011|p=3}} However, the annexation of Armenia was strongly opposed by the Armenian ''[[Catholicos of All Armenians|katholikos]]'' [[Isaac of Armenia|Sahak]], who felt that the rule of a Christian was better than that of a non-Christian regardless of his character or ability. He hoped that the Roman emperor Theodosius II would help the Armenians after he had sorted out his own issues in his empire.{{sfn|Traina|2011|pp=3–4}} 

Regardless, the ''nakharar'' did not heed to his words, and contacted Bahram V, chastising both Artaxias V and Sahak for supporting the "Greeks", i.e the Romans.{{sfn|Traina|2011|p=4}} Sahak went to Ctesiphon to request for support; there the bureaucrats urged Sahak to withdraw his support for Artaxias IV, which he refused. Artaxias IV was ultimately deposed and imprisoned, while Armenia was transformed into a [[Sasanian Armenia|Sasanian frontier province]], governed by a ''[[marzban]]'' ("[[margrave]]").{{sfn|Traina|2011|p=4}} Sahak was also removed from his office, and a Nestorian Syrian named Bar Kiso was appointed in his stead.{{sfn|Chaumont|1986|pp=418–438}}{{sfn|Russell|1987|pp=184–185}}{{sfn|Toumanoff|1961|p=6}} The Sasanians were cautious in their efforts to respect the ''nakharars'', and only asserted their presence at the Armenian capital of [[Dvin (ancient city)|Dvin]], which was also the seat of the ''marzban''.{{sfn|Toumanoff|1961|p=6}} Not all of the former territory of the Armenian kingdom was made into a province; the Armenian districts of [[Parskahayk]] and [[Paytakaran]] were incorporated into the province to its south, Adurbadagan.{{sfn|Shahinyan|2016|pp=194–195}}