Editing Bahram V (section)

=== 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}}