Identity as Social History: Gōchihr or Ardashir IV; Examining the Identity of the Last Local King of Pars in the Parthian Period

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Ph.D Student of Ancient History of Iran, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran,

2 Associate professor of Ancient History, Languages and Civilizations, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.

3 Assistant professor of Ancient History of Iran, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

10.30465/shc.2026.54372.2687
Abstract
Abstract
During the Parthian period, from the 1st century BC to the early years of the 2nd century CE, local kings ruled over the vast province of Pars. The monarchs of this dynasty established a very strong connection between themselves and the Achaemenid kings, and they used as many Persian symbols as possible on their coins to reinforce this link. The identity of the last local king of Pars during the Parthian period, who faced the uprising of Pāpak, remains unclear to researchers despite al-Tabari’s reference to him as Gōchihr or Juzahr of the Bazarangi family. The documents and evidence show that not only the last king, but none of the local kings of this period ever used the name Gōchihr on their coins. It appears that the insistence of these kings on following Achaemenid traditions also influenced the style of their coronation, as nearly all of them ascended the throne with a regnal name as their second name. This article aims to identify the true identity of the last local king of Pars during the Parthian period through a descriptive-analytical method, using numismatics (the study of coins) and comparing it with historical narratives. The findings of the research indicate that, based on numismatic data, the last local king of Pars at the time of Papak's revolt and coup against the Bazarangi family could have been none other than Ardashir IV. However, it is possible that the name Gōchihr was used as a sacred or honorary name for princes.

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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 24 August 2026

  • Receive Date 26 February 2026
  • Revise Date 23 August 2026
  • Accept Date 24 August 2026