Sassanid Persia, in decline since the death of Shapur, is currently riven by civil war between Bahram II and his brother, the kushanshah Hormizd, who is trying to establish an independent eastern empire.

Bahram II is said to have ruled at first tyrannically, and to have greatly disgusted all his principal nobles, who had gone so so far as to form a conspiracy against him, and intended to put him to death.

The chief of the Magi, however, had interposed, and, having effectually alarmed the king, brought him to acknowledge his wrong and to promise an entire change of conduct.

The nobles upon this had returned to their allegiance; and Bahram, during the remainder of his reign, is said to have been distinguished for wisdom and moderation, and to have rendered himself popular with every class of his subjects.