Adhur Gushnasp

Adhur Gushnasp
Marzban of Persian Armenia
In office 465–481
Monarch	Peroz I
Preceded by	Adhur Hormizd
Succeeded by	Sahak II Bagratuni
Personal details
Born	Unknown
Died	Unknown Marzpanate Armenia

Adhur Gushnasp, known in Armenian sources as Arderveshnasp was a Sasanian commander and the fourth marzban of Persian Armenia from 465 to 481.^[1]

Biography

In 465, Adhur Gushnasp was appointed by the Sasanian shah Peroz I as the marzban of Armenia, replacing Adhur Hormizd.^[2] In 475, the Mamikonian princess Shushanik, was murdered by her husband Prince Varsken, who was a convert to Zoroastrianism, because she refused to convert and wanted to stay Christian. Varsken was then executed by Vakhtang I, king of Iberia. Peroz I sent an army to punish Vakhtang for intervening. However, Vakhtang was joined by the Armenians, and a revolt broke out in Armenia, led by Vahan I Mamikonian. Adhur Gushnasp then abandoned Dvin to escape the Armenian rebels, and took refugee in Artashat where he prepared to make a counter-attack. The insurgents then made Sahak II Bagratuni the new marzban of Armenia.^[3]

Adhur Gushnasp raised an army of 7000 horsemen, and attacked the Armenians at Akori, he was however, defeated and killed.^[4]

References

1. (Basmadjian 1914, p. 293).
2. (Grousset 1947, p. 213).
3. (Grousset 1947, pp. 216–217).
4. (Grousset 1947, p. 219).

Sources

• Basmadjian, Krikor Jacob (1914). "Chronologie de l’histoire d’Arménie". Revue de l’Orient chrétien (in French) IX (XIX): 293–294.
• Grousset, René (1947). Histoire de l’Arménie des origines à 1071 (in French). Paris: Payot.