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Marzban

May 01, 2023

For the villages in Iran, see Marzban, Iran and Pir Marzban.
For the dessert, see Marzipan.

Marzbān, or Marzpān[1] (Middle Persian transliteration: mrzwpn, derived from marz "border, boundary" and the suffix -pān "guardian"; Modern Persian: مرزبان Marzbān) were a class of margraves, warden of the marches, and by extension military commanders,[2] in charge of border provinces of the Parthian Empire (247 BC–224 AD) and mostly Sasanian Empire (224–651 AD) of Iran.

Etymology

The Persian word marz is derived from Avestan marəza "frontier, border"; pān/pāvan is cognate with Avestan and Old Persian pat "protector". The word was borrowed from New Persian into Arabic as مرزبان marzubān (plural مرازبة marāziba). "Al-Marzubani" (المرزباني) has been used as a nisba (family title) for some Iranian families whose ancestor was a marzbān. The prominent Islamic scholar Abu Hanifa, whose formal name is given in Islamic sources as Nu'man ibn Thabit ibn Zuta ibn Marzubān (نعمان بن ثابت بن زوطا بن مرزبان), was descended from the marzbāns of Kabul, where his father came from. The Bavand (651–1349 AD) and Sallarid (919–1062 AD) dynasty rulers also used marzubān in their name.

The word marzban was borrowed into Armenian as marzpan (մարզպան) and into Georgian as marzapani (მარზაპანი).[3]

History

The ranks tradition (primarily of vāspuhrān and āzādān) can be traced to the Achaemenid Empire (550–330 BC),[4][5] but due to lack of sources even in the Parthian Empire (247 BC – 224 AD) the existence of a proper classification of ranks is unknown,[6][7] in comparison to the Sasanian royal inscriptions from the 3rd century AD when the aristocracy was divided into four or five ranks;[6][4] šahrdārān (kings, landholders), vāspuhrān (princes; the seven great noble families[4]), wuzurgān (magnates; "great ones"[4]), lower nobility āzādān (feudal nobles; freemen), and kadag-xwadāy (householders).[8] The Sasanian military organization was more sophisticated than the inherited Parthian system.[5] The caste system wasn't rigid as in India, but the ruling officiers were mostly from wuzurgān caste.[4][9] There's a possibility that the Late Sasanian marzbānān also originated from the āzādān,[10] who mostly were lords of villages (dihqānān), supplied the cavalry with young riders (asbārān), or were bodyguards and security forces with titles bandagān, ayyārān or jānbāzān, all signifying association with the king.[11]

The title marzbān can be dated to the Parthian Empire, where in the frontier areas such as Nisa (1st century BC[12]) are found titles mrzwpn (marzban), probably an officier in charge of the frontier troops, and dyzpty, an officier in charge of a fort.[13] Some scholars consider that marzbāns existed during the reign of Darius I (550–486 BC) of the Achaemenid Empire.[14] There is some uncertainty for the exact relationship between titles marzbān, spāhbed, kanārang, pāygōsbān (Parthian ptykwspn, Sasanian paygospān or padhospān[13]) and ostāndār.[15][16] The historical sources blur the distinction between the marzbān and spāhbed (army general or military governor), implying marzbān was a military title strictly limited to the frontier marches and provinces.[15] The least clear is the distinction with kanārang, apparently an East-Iranian derivation of marzbān in the province Abarshahr in Central Asia.[15] The pāygōsbān, meaning "guardian of the district",[16] is an uncertain title,[13] seemingly provincial military commanders or governors, while the marzbān meant "guardian of the borders, provinces".[15][16] Perhaps the pāygōsbān lacked civilian duties.[17] The ostāndār was the governor of an ostān (province or district within a province).[15]

The primary sources imply the marzbān was a provincional function practiced for a single or multiple provinces,[18][19] but there is no evidence for a "quarter of the empire", as al-Masudi entitled Šahrwarāz (629 AD).[16] The rank of marzbān, like most imperial administration, was mostly patrimonial, and was passed down through a single family for generations. The marzbāns of greatest seniority were permitted a silver throne, while marzbāns of the most strategic border provinces, such as the province of Armenia, were allowed a golden throne.[9] In military campaigns the regional marzbāns could be regarded as field marshals, while lesser spāhbeds could command a field army.[20]

The function of marzbān changed over the years, with smaller territorial units being part of the civil administration.[17] In the early years the main marzbān regions were Armenia, Beth Aramaye, Pars, Kirman, Spahan, Adurbadagan, Tabaristan, Nishapur, Tus, Sakastan, Mazun, Harev, Marv and Sarakhs,[21] several mentioned belonging to the Greater Khorasan.[21] Some regions enjoyed considerable autonomy while other were militarily more important, for example the Adurbadagan facing the Caucasus was special military frontier.[22]

Marzbāns were granted the administration of the border provinces and were responsible for maintaining the security of the trade routes, fighting the encroaching nomadic tribes such as Bedouin Arabs, White Huns and Oghuz Turks, and holding the first line of defense against settled enemies such as Romans and Kushans.[23] During the reign of Khosrow I (531–579 AD) were held military reforms by which were created four frontier regions (Khwarasan, Khwarwaran, Nemroz, Adurbadagan) with spāhbed in charge, sometimes still called as marzbān, but now generally considered for more central provinces.[24] Also, the previous gentry rank dihqānān was moulded into influential "nobility of service" which became the backbone of the Sasanian state.[25] However, this measures of centralization caused the transfer of the power to the military (the dihqānān gradually became more independent from the government, while the four large spāhbed territories quasi-independent fiefs), and led to the eventual disintegration of the Empire.[26]

The Sasanian social, administrative and military structure and system was inherited by the Medieval Islamic civilization,[17] however, the marzbāns steadily disappeared depending on the region, as such in Iraq diminished and were replaced by Muslim frontier warriors muqātila, while in Khorasan still had special privileges.[27] In generally were replaced by the title dihqānān.[27]

See also

References

  1. ^ Hoyland 2011, p. 46.
  2. ^ Pourshariati 2008, p. 503.
  3. ^ Rapp, Stephen H., Jr (2014). The Sasanian World through Georgian Eyes: Caucasia and the Iranian Commonwealth in Late Antique Georgian Literature. Routledge. p. 57. ISBN 978-1472425522.
  4. ^ a b c d e Frye 1984, p. 316.
  5. ^ a b Farrokh 2012, p. 6.
  6. ^ a b Wiesehöfer 2001, p. 138-139.
  7. ^ Frye 1984, p. 316, 224.
  8. ^ Tafażżolī, Ahmad (15 December 1989). "Bozorgān". Encyclopaedia Iranica, Online Edition. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  9. ^ a b Nicolle 1996, p. 10.
  10. ^ Zakeri 1995, p. 30.
  11. ^ Zakeri 1995, p. 11, 30-31.
  12. ^ Shaki, Mansour (21 October 2011). "Class System III: In the Parthian and Sasanian Periods". Encyclopaedia Iranica, Online Edition. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  13. ^ a b c Frye 1984, p. 224.
  14. ^ Briant 2015.
  15. ^ a b c d e Farrokh 2012, p. 8.
  16. ^ a b c d Gyselen 2004.
  17. ^ a b c Nicolle 1996, p. 13.
  18. ^ G. Gropp (1969), Einige neuentdeckte Inschriften aus sasanidischer Zeit, Berlin: W. Hinz, Altiranische Funde und Forschungen, pp. 229–262
  19. ^ Skjaervo, Prods O. (1983), The Sassanian Inscription of Paikuli III/1-2, Wiesbaden, pp. 38–39
  20. ^ Nicolle 1996, p. 14.
  21. ^ a b Nicolle 1996, p. 12-13.
  22. ^ Nicolle 1996, p. 12.
  23. ^ Nicolle 1996, p. 53.
  24. ^ Nicolle 1996, p. 51-53.
  25. ^ Nicolle 1996, p. 53, 55.
  26. ^ Nicolle 1996, p. 55.
  27. ^ a b Zakeri 1995, p. 11, 110.

Bibliography

Further reading

  • Greatrex, Geoffrey; Lieu, Samuel N. C. (2005), The Roman Eastern Frontier and the Persian Wars AD 363-628, Routledge, ISBN 9781134756469

May 01, 2023
marzban, villages, iran, iran, dessert, marzipan, marzbān, marzpān, middle, persian, transliteration, mrzwpn, derived, from, marz, border, boundary, suffix, pān, guardian, modern, persian, مرزبان, marzbān, were, class, margraves, warden, marches, extension, mi. For the villages in Iran see Marzban Iran and Pir Marzban For the dessert see Marzipan Marzban or Marzpan 1 Middle Persian transliteration mrzwpn derived from marz border boundary and the suffix pan guardian Modern Persian مرزبان Marzban were a class of margraves warden of the marches and by extension military commanders 2 in charge of border provinces of the Parthian Empire 247 BC 224 AD and mostly Sasanian Empire 224 651 AD of Iran Contents 1 Etymology 2 History 3 See also 4 References 5 Bibliography 6 Further readingEtymology EditThe Persian word marz is derived from Avestan mareza frontier border pan pavan is cognate with Avestan and Old Persian pat protector The word was borrowed from New Persian into Arabic as مرزبان marzuban plural مرازبة maraziba Al Marzubani المرزباني has been used as a nisba family title for some Iranian families whose ancestor was a marzban The prominent Islamic scholar Abu Hanifa whose formal name is given in Islamic sources as Nu man ibn Thabit ibn Zuta ibn Marzuban نعمان بن ثابت بن زوطا بن مرزبان was descended from the marzbans of Kabul where his father came from The Bavand 651 1349 AD and Sallarid 919 1062 AD dynasty rulers also used marzuban in their name The word marzban was borrowed into Armenian as marzpan մարզպան and into Georgian as marzapani მარზაპანი 3 History EditThe ranks tradition primarily of vaspuhran and azadan can be traced to the Achaemenid Empire 550 330 BC 4 5 but due to lack of sources even in the Parthian Empire 247 BC 224 AD the existence of a proper classification of ranks is unknown 6 7 in comparison to the Sasanian royal inscriptions from the 3rd century AD when the aristocracy was divided into four or five ranks 6 4 sahrdaran kings landholders vaspuhran princes the seven great noble families 4 wuzurgan magnates great ones 4 lower nobility azadan feudal nobles freemen and kadag xwaday householders 8 The Sasanian military organization was more sophisticated than the inherited Parthian system 5 The caste system wasn t rigid as in India but the ruling officiers were mostly from wuzurgan caste 4 9 There s a possibility that the Late Sasanian marzbanan also originated from the azadan 10 who mostly were lords of villages dihqanan supplied the cavalry with young riders asbaran or were bodyguards and security forces with titles bandagan ayyaran or janbazan all signifying association with the king 11 The title marzban can be dated to the Parthian Empire where in the frontier areas such as Nisa 1st century BC 12 are found titles mrzwpn marzban probably an officier in charge of the frontier troops and dyzpty an officier in charge of a fort 13 Some scholars consider that marzbans existed during the reign of Darius I 550 486 BC of the Achaemenid Empire 14 There is some uncertainty for the exact relationship between titles marzban spahbed kanarang paygōsban Parthian ptykwspn Sasanian paygospan or padhospan 13 and ostandar 15 16 The historical sources blur the distinction between the marzban and spahbed army general or military governor implying marzban was a military title strictly limited to the frontier marches and provinces 15 The least clear is the distinction with kanarang apparently an East Iranian derivation of marzban in the province Abarshahr in Central Asia 15 The paygōsban meaning guardian of the district 16 is an uncertain title 13 seemingly provincial military commanders or governors while the marzban meant guardian of the borders provinces 15 16 Perhaps the paygōsban lacked civilian duties 17 The ostandar was the governor of an ostan province or district within a province 15 The primary sources imply the marzban was a provincional function practiced for a single or multiple provinces 18 19 but there is no evidence for a quarter of the empire as al Masudi entitled Sahrwaraz 629 AD 16 The rank of marzban like most imperial administration was mostly patrimonial and was passed down through a single family for generations The marzbans of greatest seniority were permitted a silver throne while marzbans of the most strategic border provinces such as the province of Armenia were allowed a golden throne 9 In military campaigns the regional marzbans could be regarded as field marshals while lesser spahbeds could command a field army 20 The function of marzban changed over the years with smaller territorial units being part of the civil administration 17 In the early years the main marzban regions were Armenia Beth Aramaye Pars Kirman Spahan Adurbadagan Tabaristan Nishapur Tus Sakastan Mazun Harev Marv and Sarakhs 21 several mentioned belonging to the Greater Khorasan 21 Some regions enjoyed considerable autonomy while other were militarily more important for example the Adurbadagan facing the Caucasus was special military frontier 22 Marzbans were granted the administration of the border provinces and were responsible for maintaining the security of the trade routes fighting the encroaching nomadic tribes such as Bedouin Arabs White Huns and Oghuz Turks and holding the first line of defense against settled enemies such as Romans and Kushans 23 During the reign of Khosrow I 531 579 AD were held military reforms by which were created four frontier regions Khwarasan Khwarwaran Nemroz Adurbadagan with spahbed in charge sometimes still called as marzban but now generally considered for more central provinces 24 Also the previous gentry rank dihqanan was moulded into influential nobility of service which became the backbone of the Sasanian state 25 However this measures of centralization caused the transfer of the power to the military the dihqanan gradually became more independent from the government while the four large spahbed territories quasi independent fiefs and led to the eventual disintegration of the Empire 26 The Sasanian social administrative and military structure and system was inherited by the Medieval Islamic civilization 17 however the marzbans steadily disappeared depending on the region as such in Iraq diminished and were replaced by Muslim frontier warriors muqatila while in Khorasan still had special privileges 27 In generally were replaced by the title dihqanan 27 See also EditMuḥammad ibn al Marzubani ca 910 994 List of marzbans Marzpanate Armenia Satrap the governor of the provinces Spahbed a similar Sassanid commandership rank Ban a noble title which was used in various South European Balkan countries List of Iranian titles and ranks Military of the Sasanian EmpireReferences Edit Hoyland 2011 p 46 Pourshariati 2008 p 503 Rapp Stephen H Jr 2014 The Sasanian World through Georgian Eyes Caucasia and the Iranian Commonwealth in Late Antique Georgian Literature Routledge p 57 ISBN 978 1472425522 a b c d e Frye 1984 p 316 a b Farrokh 2012 p 6 sfn error no target CITEREFFarrokh2012 help a b Wiesehofer 2001 p 138 139 Frye 1984 p 316 224 Tafazzoli Ahmad 15 December 1989 Bozorgan Encyclopaedia Iranica Online Edition Retrieved 23 April 2015 a b Nicolle 1996 p 10 Zakeri 1995 p 30 Zakeri 1995 p 11 30 31 Shaki Mansour 21 October 2011 Class System III In the Parthian and Sasanian Periods Encyclopaedia Iranica Online Edition Retrieved 23 April 2015 a b c Frye 1984 p 224 Briant 2015 a b c d e Farrokh 2012 p 8 sfn error no target CITEREFFarrokh2012 help a b c d Gyselen 2004 a b c Nicolle 1996 p 13 G Gropp 1969 Einige neuentdeckte Inschriften aus sasanidischer Zeit Berlin W Hinz Altiranische Funde und Forschungen pp 229 262 Skjaervo Prods O 1983 The Sassanian Inscription of Paikuli III 1 2 Wiesbaden pp 38 39 Nicolle 1996 p 14 a b Nicolle 1996 p 12 13 Nicolle 1996 p 12 Nicolle 1996 p 53 Nicolle 1996 p 51 53 Nicolle 1996 p 53 55 Nicolle 1996 p 55 a b Zakeri 1995 p 11 110 Bibliography EditFrye Richard N 1984 The History of Ancient Iran C H Beck ISBN 9783406093975 Zakeri Mohsen 1995 Sasanid Soldiers in Early Muslim Society The Origins of Ayyaran and Futuwwa Otto Harrassowitz Verlag ISBN 9783447036528 Nicolle David 1996 Sassanian Armies the Iranian Empire Early 3rd to Mid 7th Centuries AD Stockport Montvert ISBN 978 1 874101 08 6 Wiesehofer Josef 2001 Ancient Persia I B Tauris ISBN 9781860646751 Pourshariati Parvaneh 2008 Decline and fall of the Sasanian empire the Sasanian Parthian confederacy and the Arab conquest of Iran I B Tauris in association with the Iran Heritage Foundation ISBN 9781845116453 Hoyland Robert G 2011 Theophilus of Edessa s Chronicle and the Circulation of Historical Knowledge in Late Antiquity and Early Islam Liverpool University Press ISBN 9781846316975 Farrokh Kaveh McBride Angus 2012 Sassanian Elite Cavalry AD 224 642 Osprey Publishing ISBN 9781782008484 archived from the original on 2016 03 04 Briant Pierre 2015 Darius in the Shadow of Alexander Harvard University Press ISBN 9780674745209 Gyselen Rika 20 July 2004 Spahbed Encyclopaedia Iranica Online Edition Retrieved 22 April 2015 Further reading EditGreatrex Geoffrey Lieu Samuel N C 2005 The Roman Eastern Frontier and the Persian Wars AD 363 628 Routledge ISBN 9781134756469 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Marzban amp oldid 1146034937, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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