Editing Hormizd II (section)

===Reign===
In 303, Hormizd II ascended the throne, assuming a crown whose features resembled that of the same used by the early Sasanian rulers, such as [[Bahram II]] ({{reign|274|293}}). Not much is known about the reign of Hormizd; he supposedly started out as a cruel ruler but then became benevolent.{{sfn|Shahbazi|2004a|pp=464–465}}

This change of behaviour is described by [[al-Tabari]];

{{quote box|width=750px|align=center|bgcolor=#c6dbf7|quote="The people had been in awe of him, and had experienced harshness and severity [from him]. But he told them that he had been fully aware of their fears over his severity and strong rule, and informed them that he had exchanged the roughness and harshness in his nature for mildness and clemency. He then ruled them in the most considerate fashion and behaved in the most equitable manner possible. He was eager to succor and revive the weak, to render the land prosperous and flourishing, and to spread justice among the subjects."|source=''History of the Prophets and Kings'', volume 5{{sfn|Al-Tabari|1985–2007|loc=v. 5: p. 49}}}} 
[[Image:Naqsherostam37.jpg|thumb|300px|Relief of Hormizd II impaling his enemy at [[Naqsh-e Rostam]].]]
However, he persecuted the [[Manichaeism|Manicheans]], who had lived peacefully in the reign of his father;{{sfn|Shahbazi|2004a|pp=464–465}} Narseh followed a policy of religious tolerance in emulation of the first two shahs, [[Ardashir I]] ({{reign|224|242}}) and [[Shapur I]] ({{reign|240|270}}).{{sfn|Shahbazi|2005}} Hormizd reportedly founded the rural district of Kurang (or Wahisht-Hormozd) near [[Izeh]] in the [[Khuzistan (Sasanian province)|Khuzistan]] province.{{sfn|Shahbazi|2004a|pp=464–465}} He gave his daughter Hormizddukht in marriage to a [[Mamikonian]] prince named Vahan as part of an effort to improve Sasanian relations with [[Kingdom of Armenia (antiquity)|Armenia]], which had recently under [[Tiridates III of Armenia]] declared [[Christianity]] as its state religion.{{sfn|Daryaee|2014|p=15}}

Hormizd's rock relief at [[Naqsh-e Rostam]] in the [[Pars (Sasanian province)|Pars]] province (present-day [[Fars province|Fars]]) indicates that there was internal turmoil during his reign. He is depicted on horseback, impaling an enemy whose helmet bears the family signature of Papak, a high-ranking nobleman who served as the {{Transliteration|fa|[[Bidaxsh|bitakhsh]]}} (viceroy) of [[Albania (satrapy)|Albania]] during the reign of Bahram II and Narseh.{{sfn|Shahbazi|2004a|pp=464–465}} During his last years Hormizd pursued hostilities against the [[Ghassanid]] king, demanding tribute and raiding Ghassanid domains in [[Syria (region)|Syria]]. The Ghassanid king requested reinforcements from the Roman emperor, but was killed before they arrived.{{sfn|Shahbazi|2004a|pp=464–465}} Hormizd died in 309, reportedly ambushed by Ghassanid troops whilst he was hunting in the desert. He was more likely killed in a secluded place by the Iranian nobility, who afterwards sought to get rid of his sons as well.{{sfn|Shahbazi|2004a|pp=464–465}}

According to the 11th-century ''[[Chronicle of Seert]]'', Hormizd declared war against the Romans in order to avenge the defeat of his father, whilst the [[Chronicle of Arbela]] states that when the Roman emperor started persecuting his Christian subjects, Hormizd raised a great army, invaded the Roman domains and raided many cities. The credibility of the two sources are doubtful, with the events not being reported in other sources. According to the [[Iranian studies|Iranologist]] [[Alireza Shapour Shahbazi]], "one may only surmise that it is probably a reflection of Hormozd's alleged raid into Syria."{{sfn|Shahbazi|2004a|pp=464–465}}