Spahbod

Spahbod or Spahbed (Persian: سپهبد, in Modern Persian Sepahbod, is derived from the words "Spah " سپه army "bod " بد master; or "Aspah'Paeity" (in new Persian "Asb" and "Payeh") commander of cavaliers/knights; alternatively Spah Salar (سپهسالار) and was a rank used in the Parthian empire and more widely in the Sassanid Empire of Persia (Iran). The title continued in usage after the Islamic conquest of Persia among both native Iranian dynasties and also those who were under Persian influence, such as the Armenian (see Sparapet) and Georgian (see Spaspet) kingdoms.

Used alone, it refers to the senior military officer but when it is used with Eran (Iran), "Eran Spahbod " ايران سپهبد or "Iran Spahbod", is equivalent to field marshal or generalissimo of the Empire. It was the highest military rank after the emperor Shahanshah "(King of Kings)" himself. The Iran Spahbod acted as commander-in chief as well as Minister of War and chief peace negotiator. Lesser spahbods could command a field army while the regional Marzbans could be regarded as field marshals.

During the Pahlavi dynasty in 20th century, Pahlavi army reinforced the usage of many ancient Sassanid military ranks including Spahbod. The rank Spahbod in the Pahlavi army was equivalent to lieutenant general ranking below arteshbod (full general).

Famous "Eran spahbods"

Parthian dynasty

* Rustaham Suren-Pahlav (Surena)

Sassanid dynasty

* Azarethes
* Bahram Chobin
* Rhahzadh
* Rostam Farrokhzād
* Shahin
* Shahrbaraz

Pahlavi dynasty

* Ahmad Amir-Ahmadi
* Amanullah Jahanbani
* Nader Jahanbani

Bibliography

* D. N. MacKenzie. A Concise Pahlavi Dictionary. Routledge Curzon, 2005.

See also

*Sassanid army
*Marzban