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Marzban

Marzban (in , derived from the words '''Marz''' مرز meaning "border" or "boundary", cognate to the marches|mark, and the suffix '''-ban''' بان meaning guardian) were a class of margraves or military commanders in charge of border provinces of the Sassanid Empire of Persia (Iran) between 3rd and 7th centuries CE.

Etymology

Marzban is composed of the two words "Marz" and "ban". The modern Persian word "Marz" is traced back to the Avesta marəza meaning "frontier". The word "ban" is cognate of Avesta and Old Persian ''Pat'' meaning "protector". The word entered from New Persian to Arabic under ''Marzuban'' and its plural ''Maraziba''. Al-Marzubani has been used as a ''nisba'' (family title) for some arabians families whose ancestor was a Marzban.In iran it remains Marzban.

Description

Marzbans were granted the administration of the border provinces and were responsible for maintaining the security of the trade routes, fighting the encroaching nomadic tribes such as Bedouin|Bedouin Arabs, White Huns and Oghuz Turks, and holding the first line of defense against settled enemies such as Ancient Rome|Romans and Kushans. Sassanid Shahanshah (king of kings) usually selected Marzbans from ''Bozorgan'', Persian noble families who held the most powerful positions in the imperial administration. The rank of Marzban, like most imperial administration, was mostly patrimonial, and was passed down through a single family for generations. Marzbans of greatest seniority were permitted a silver throne, while Marzbans of the most strategic border provinces, such as the Caucasus (geographic region)|Caucasus province, were allowed a golden throne. In military campaigns the regional Marzbans could be regarded as field marshals, while lesser spahbods could command a field army. It is not clear whether they had authority over castles in their area of operation, as Argbadhs were responsible for castles. In many ways, Persian people|Persian Marzbans had the same function and status as medieval Germanic people|Germanic Margraves. The Marzban of Abarshahr in Central Asia was called "Kenarang".

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Sources: StartLearningNow, Wikipedia | Usage license: GNU FDL

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