Editing Bahram I (section)

== Reign ==
[[Image:Shahname - Mani death.jpg|thumb|A 14th-century illustration of the execution of [[Mani (prophet)|Mani]]]]
The previous Sasanian shahs, including Shapur I, had pursued a policy of [[religious tolerance]] towards the non-Zoroastrian minorities in the empire. Although admiring the teachings of his own religion and encouraging the Zoroastrian clergy, Shapur I allowed the [[Judaism|Jews]], [[Christianity|Christians]], [[Buddhism|Buddhists]], and [[Hinduism|Hindus]] to freely practice their own religions.{{sfn|Kia|2016|p=234}} He was also friendly towards [[Mani (prophet)|Mani]], the founder of [[Manichaeism]], who was allowed to preach freely and even act as an escort in Shapur's military expeditions.{{sfn|Kia|2016|p=234}} Following Bahram I's accession to the throne, the rise of the authority of the Zoroastrian priesthood, and the increasing influence of Kartir, this changed. When Mani arrived at the city of [[Gundishapur]] there was uproar, in the same fashion as [[Jesus]]' entry into [[Jerusalem]].{{sfn|Daryaee|2009|p=74}} After protests from Kartir and the other Zoroastrian priests, Bahram I was persuaded to imprison Mani, who was sentenced to death in 274.{{sfn|Daryaee|2009|pp=74-75}}{{sfn|Shahbazi|1988|pp=514–522}}

Mani's death was followed by the persecution of his followers by Kartir and the Zoroastrian clergy, who moved against the kingdom's religious minorities as a way to increase and spread their influence.{{sfn|Kia|2016|p=234}} To the Zoroastrian clergy, Mani had been seen as a heterogeneous [[philosopher]] and a threatening pagan, who presented an obscure perception of Zoroastrianism that was tainted by Jewish, Buddhist, and Christian ideas.{{sfn|Kia|2016|p=234}} With the backing of Bahram I, Kartir laid the foundations for a Zoroastrian state church,{{sfn|Shahbazi|1988|pp=514–522}}{{sfn|Kia|2016|p=234}} which led to Bahram being applauded in Sasanian-based sources as a "benevolent and worthy king".{{sfn|Shahbazi|1988|pp=514–522}} Bahram I was nevertheless, like his predecessors, a "lukewarm Zoroastrian".{{sfn|Skjærvø|2011|pp=608-628}}

Bahram I died in September 274 and was succeeded by his son [[Bahram II]].{{sfn|Shahbazi|1988|pp=514–522}} Another son of Bahram I, [[Hormizd I Kushanshah]], ruled over the [[Kushano-Sasanian Kingdom|Kushano-Sasanian kingdom]] in the east, and would later lead a rebellion against Bahram II, which failed.{{sfn|Shahbazi|2004}} The line of Bahram I continued to rule the Sasanian Empire until 293, when [[Narseh]] overthrew the latter's grandson [[Bahram III]] and proclaimed himself the new shah.{{sfn|Weber|2016}} The line was thus shifted to Narseh and his descendants, who continued to rule the empire until its fall in 651.{{sfn|Shahbazi|2005}}