Yazdegerd I

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Yazdegerd I ("made by God" Izdigerdes), King of Persia (399–421), son of Shapur III of Persia (383–388) succeeded Bahram IV as the King of Persia and ruled from 399 to 420.

In the early part of his reign, he was entrusted by Arcadius, the Roman Emperor of the East with the care of his son Theodosius. Flattered, he performed his newfound role with utmost sincerity providing him the best possible education and assistance.

But Yazdegerd I is often remembered for his religious intolerance and cruelty. Initially he was tolerant to such an extent that the nobility and priesthood opposed him. However, excessive zeal of the Christian bishop of Ctesiphon, Abdaas, provoked a reaction, and when he tried to burn the Great Fire Temple of Ctesiphon,Yazdegerd I turned against the Christians. Christian churches all over the nation were destroyed and Christians driven off from the kingdom.

In the year 413, Varahran-Shapur, the King of Armenia passed away and the crown passed on to a boy of ten. Yazdegerd I released Khusro whom Bahram IV had imprisoned in the Castle of Oblivion and reinstated him upon the throne of Armenia in order to stabilize the condition. But Khusro passed away soon afterwards and Armenia fell into chaos once again. Yazdegerd I responded by placing his own son Shapur on the throne of Armenia. When Yazdegerd I was overcome by mortal illness in the year 419, Shapur immediately rushed to Ctesiphon to claim the Sassanian throne. But in the battle of succession that followed, Shapur was squarely defeated by his other son Bahram who ascended the throne as Bahram V. Yazdegerd I meanwhile died soon afterwards.