Editing Ardashir III (section)

== Reign ==
After the death of Kavad II, the ''[[Wuzurgan]]'' elected Ardashir as his successor, who was only a 7-year-old boy. In reality, however, he exercised little power and his empire was controlled by his vizier [[Mah-Adhur Gushnasp]], whose duty was to protect the empire until Ardashir became old enough to rule. The Iranian historian [[al-Tabari]] says the following thing about Mah-Adhur Gushnasp's administration of the Empire; "Mah-Adhur Gushnasp carried on the administration of the kingdom in [such] an excellent fashion, [and with such] firm conduct, [that] no one would have been aware of Ardashir III's youthfulness."{{sfn|Pourshariati|2008|p=179}}

During the same period, a brother of Mah-Adhur Gushnasp named [[Narsi]], was granted with [[Kashkar]] as a part of his domains,{{sfn|Morony|2005|p=157}} However, even under a strong vizier, things were still looking grim in Iran; Factionalism had greatly increased among the Iranians, and several powerful factions which had emerged during the reign of Ardashir's grandfather [[Khosrau II]], had gained firm control of important parts of Iran, while the Sasanian state was less-centralized than it had been under Ardashir's predecessors. Ardashir's ascension was supported by both the ''Pahlav'' (Parthian) and ''Parsig'' (Persian) faction, and a third major faction named the ''Nimruzi''.{{sfn|Pourshariati|2008|pp=178, 209}} However, sometime in 629, the ''Nimruzi'' withdrew their support for the shah, and started to conspire with the distinguished Iranian general [[Shahrbaraz]] to overthrow him.{{sfn|Pourshariati|2008|p=209}} The ''Pahlav'', under their leader [[Farrukh Hormizd]] of the [[Ispahbudhan]] clan, responded by supporting Ardashir's aunt [[Boran]] as the new ruler of Iran, who subsequently started minting coins in the ''Pahlav'' areas of [[Amol]], [[Nishapur]], [[Gurgan]] and [[Ray, Iran|Ray]].{{sfn|Pourshariati|2008|p=209}}

One year later, Shahrbaraz with a force of 6,000 men marched towards [[Ctesiphon]] and [[Siege of Ctesiphon (629)|besieged the city]].{{sfn|Shahbazi|1986|p=381-382}} Shahrbaraz, however, was unable to capture the city, and then made an alliance with [[Piruz Khosrow]], the leader of the ''Parsig'', and the previous minister of the Empire during the reign of Ardashir's father.{{sfn|Pourshariati|2008|p=180}} With the support of both the ''Parsig'' and ''Nimruzi'', Shahrbaraz [[Siege of Ctesiphon (629)|captured Ctesiphon]] and executed Ardashir, Mah-Adhur Gushnasp himself, and many other prominent nobles.{{sfn|Shahbazi|1986|p=381-382}} Shahrbaraz then ascended the Iranian throne. According to late folklore, Ardashir was buried at an unknown place in [[Meshan]].{{sfn|Shahbazi|1986|p=381-382}}