Rostam Farrokhzād

Rostam Farrokhzād (Persian: رستم فرّخزاد) was an Iranian nobleman from the Ispahbudhan family, who served as the spahbed ("army chief") of Adurbadagan and Khorasan during the reign of Boran (r. 631–632) and Yazdegerd III (r. 632–651). Rostam is remembered as an historical figure, a character in the Persian epic poem Shahnameh, and as a touchstone of most Iranian nationalists.

Family

Rostam was a member of the House of Ispahbudhan, one of the seven Parthian clans; his father was Farrukh Hormizd, the spahbed of Adurbadagan and Khorasan, who was the son of Vinduyih, who had served as the treasurer and minister during the early reign of Khosrau II (r. 591–628), until he was killed in 590/1 or 594/5 by the latter, who wanted free himself of his influence. Vistahm, who was the brother of Vinduyih and the spahbed of Khorasan, was also targeted by Khosrau II, but managed to escape to the east, where he started a revolt, which encompassed most of the empire, lasting from 590/1–596 or 594/5–600. Rostam had a brother named Farrukhzad, who was active in Ctesiphon and enjoyed a great status there, reportedly being a favourite of Khosrau II.