Bahram I

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Bahram I, was King of Persia (273–276). According to a Pahlavi inscription, Bahram I was the son (not, as the Greek authors and Tabari say, the grandson) of Shapur I of Persia (241–272), and succeeded his brother Hormizd I of Persia (272–273), who had only reigned a year.

Bahram I had the prophet Mani, the founder of Manichaeism (and the author of the Shapurgan, which was dedicated to Bahram's father Shapur I) sentenced to death, but Mani died in his cell shortly before his execution.

The theophoric name Bahram (or Vahram) comes from middle Persian Varahrän, 'victory', represented by the Zoroastrian divinity of the same name (see Vahram). The earliest reference to Bahram I occurs in the coronation monument of Bahram's grandfather Ardeshir I at Naqs-e Rajab. There, the future king appears as a smaller figure between Ardeshir and Ahura Mazda, and Bahram is seen bowing before the divinity after whom he is named. Similar iconography, such as the boar motifs in the seals and crown of Bahram, apparently reinforced the association with the yazata of victory.