Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: From 628 CE to 632 CE, in the late Sassanian period, there were possibly eleven royal
successors to the Sassanian throne. This indicates instability and that the Sassanian dynasty
was politically weakened. A succession crisis had developed. This study presents an attempt
to understand one aspect of the political milieu of the succession crisis period, namely the
legitimisation practices of the late Sassanian rulers. Therefore, the tools that were used for
legitimisation by the Sassanian monarchs from the succession crisis period, and how they
were used, are investigated. To better understand how the legitimisation tools available to
Sassanian monarchs developed the political techniques used by the succession crisis
monarchs will be compared with the early Sassanian monarchs of 224 CE to 302 CE
(Ardashir 1, Shapur I, Hormizd I, Wahram I, Wahram II, Wahram III and Narseh). The
comparison contributes to an improved understanding of the 7th century Sassanian succession
struggles by tracking the changes in the techniques and practices Sassanian rulers utilised in
the Empire to legitimise their rule. Such changes are rooted in the wider politico-historical
contexts within which the Sassanian monarchs excercised their authority. The study will open
with an investigation of the major political events of the 7th century CE that had an effect on
the succession struggles and political events in the Sassanian Empire. One of the primary
sources that are used is The History of Prophets and Kings by the 10th century CE Arabic
historian Jarir al-Tabari. Physical evidence of the Sassanian monarchs like coinage, rock
reliefs and silver bowls will also be used as primary sources and analysed to better
understand the propaganda used by the Sassanian monarchs. The material propaganda
techniques used by Sassanian monarchs from the early period and late period changed. The
reasons behind the changes are highlighted and these reasons are furthermore explained. The
study concludes that the Sassanian monarchs from the succession crisis period had a
shrinking pool of legitimisation resources and that they had to legitimise their rule in a short
period of time in view of internal opposition. As a result, the Sassanian monarchs from the
period focused on legitimisation techniques that were not a drain on resources and could
quickly influence the perception of people. The political legitimisation of the last Sassanian
monarchs ultimately failed though as the Sassanian dynasty only continued to reign for
another 23 years after 628 CE. The failure of the legitimisation of the Sassanian dynasty
could be largely attributed to the internal opposition and the damaging war against the
Byzantine Empire. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In die tydperk tussen 628 tot 632 n.C was daar na bewering elf troonopvolgers in die
Sassaniede Ryk. Dit illustreer die politieke onstabiliteit in die Sassaniede Ryk op daardie
tydstip, n troonopvolgingskrisis het ontwikkel. In die studie word n poging van stapel
gestuur om een aspek van die politieke milieu van die tydperk te verstaan, die
legitimasiepraktyke van die laat Sassaniede heersers. Die hulpbronne tot die beskikking van
die Sassaniede konings wat ingespan is om hulle regerings populariteit te gee word daarom
ondersoek. Om die ontwikkeling van die legitimeringspraktyke beter te verstaan word die
praktyke van die troonopvolgingskrisis konings vergelyk met die tegnieke van die vroeë
Sassaniede konings van die tydperk 224 n.C. tot 302 n.C. (Ardashir I, Shapur I, Hormizd I,
Wahram I, Wahram II, Wahram III and Narseh). Die vergelyking dien as n beginpunt om die
Sassanied troonopvolgingskrisis beter te verstaan en om die veranderings van die
legitimeringspraktyke te identifiseer. Sulke veranderings is gegrond in die wyer politieshistoriese
konteks waarin die Sassanied konings hul mag uitgeoefen het. Die studie
ondersoek eerstens die belangrike politieke gebeure van die 7de eeu n.C. wat n effek op die
troonopvolgingskrisis en politieke aspekte van die Sassaniede Ryk gehad het. Een van die
primêre bronne waarvan die studie gebruik maak, is The History of Prophets and Kings van
die 10de eeuse n.C. Arabiese geskiedkundige Jarir al-Tabari. Ander primêre bronne wat
gebruik word, sluit in muntstukke, rotsreliëfs en silwer bakke wat analiseer word om beter te
verstaan hoe die produkte gebruik is as propaganda. Die legitimeringspraktyke en propaganda
het n verandering ondergaan van die vroeë typerk tot die laat tydperk. Die redes vir die
verandering word identifiseer en ‘n verduideliking vir die redes word aangebied. Die studie
maak die gevolgtrekking dat die Sassaniede konings van die troonopvolgingskrisis tydperk
minder hulpbronne tot hul beskikking gehad het en dat hulle hul blitsig moes regverdig
vanweë interne teenkanting. As gevolg van hierdie faktore het die Sassaniede konings
propaganda verkies wat nie te veel van hul hulpbronne gebruik het nie en ook mense baie
vininig beïnvloed het. Die politieke programme van die laat Sassaniede het uiteindelik
misluk. Die Sassanidiese dinastie het net vir nog 23 jaar na 628 n.C. geheers. Die uiteindelike
mislukking van die politieke regverdigings programme van die laat Sassaniede kan grootliks
verbind word aan die sterk interne teenstand en die effek wat die oorlog teen die Bisantynse
Ryk gehad het.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/96669 |
| Date | 04 1900 |
| Creators | Vollgraaff, Carel Stephanus |
| Contributors | Kotze, Gideon Rudolph, Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Ancient Studies. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 151 pages : illustrations, map |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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