{{Short description|Iranian ruling family}} The '''Mihranids''' were an Iranian family which ruled several regions of Caucasus from 330 to 821. They claimed to be of Sasanian Persian descent but were of Parthian origin.{{sfn|Bosworth|1986|pp=520–522}}<ref name="Chaumont">[http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/albania-iranian-aran-arm Encyclopedia Iranica. M. L. Chaumont. Albania.]</ref>
== History == The dynasty was founded when a certain Mihran, a distant relative of Sasanian, settled in the region of Gardman in Utik. He was probably a member of a branch of the Mihranid family which was listed among the Seven Great Houses of Iran, and whose two other lines ruled Iberia (Chosroid Dynasty) and Gogarene/Gugark.<ref>Toumanoff, Cyril. ''Chronology of the Early Kings of Iberia''. ''Traditio'' 25 (1969), p. 22.</ref>
It is uncertain how the Mihranids became ''Arranshahs'' (princes of Albania). Their ancestor, Mihran, was said to have received the region of Gardman by the Sasanian monarch Khosrow II ({{reign|590|628}}).{{sfn|Vacca|2022}} In {{circa|600}}, the Mihranids who exterminated all of the members of the Aranshahik dynasty with the exception of a certain Zarmihr, who was related to the Mihranids through marriage.{{sfn|Zuckerman|2020|p=158}} This was due to the Aranshahiks still having some authority in Albania,{{sfn|Zuckerman|2020|p=158}} which they had originally ruled until their overthrow in the 1st-century.{{sfn|Toumanoff|1963|pp=256–257}} The Mihranids then conquered all of Albania and assumed the title of ''Arranshah'', but without embracing its royal status.{{sfn|Vacca|2022|p=66}}{{sfn|Zuckerman|2020|p=158}} The head of the family's full titulature was thus "Lord of Gardman and Prince of Albania".{{sfn|Vacca|2022|p=68}}
The most prominent representatives of the family in the 7th century were Varaz Grigor, his son Javanshir, and Varaz-Tiridates I. Mihranids assumed a Persian title of Arranshahs (i.e. shahs of Arran, Persian name of Albania). The family's rule came to an end after the assassination of Varaz-Tiridates II by Nerseh Pilippean in 822–23.{{sfn|Bosworth|1986|pp=520–522}}
Subsequently Sahl Smbatean, a descendant of the aforementioned Arranshahik (Eṙanšahik) family, assumed the title of Arranshah<ref>Minorsky, Vladimir. ''Caucasica IV''. Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Vol. 15, No. 3. (1953), pp. 504-529.</ref> and ruled significant part of Caucasian Albania.
==Mihranids of Gogarene== {{main article|Mihranids of Gugark}} * Peroz (330–361) * Unknown (361–394) * Bakur I (394–400) * Arshusha I (400–430) * Bakur II (430–455) * Arshusha II (455–470) * Varsken (470–482) * Arshusha III (482–540) * Arshusha IV (540–608) * Vahram-Arshusha V (608–627) * Arshusha VI (???–748)
==Mihranids of Gardman== * Peroz (330–361) * Khurs (361–430) * Barzabod (430–440) * Varaz-Bakur (440–450) * Mihr (450–480) * Armayel (480–510) * Vard I (510–540) * Vardan I (540–570) * Vard II (570–600)
==Mihranids of Caucasian Albania== * Varaz Grigor (628–636) * Javanshir (636–680) * Varaz-Tiridates I (680–705) ** Shiruye (699–704, usurper) * Vardan II (705–740) * Narseh-Dzndak (740–770) * Gagikh II (770–790) * Stephanos I (790–821) * Varaz-Tiridates II (821–822)
== References == {{reflist|2}}
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Category:Mihranids Category:Medieval history of the Caucasus Category:4th century in Iran Category:Ancient history of the Caucasus