Editing Kavad II (section)

===Execution of his father and brothers===
[[Image:Enthronement of Shirwi, son of Khusraw.jpg|thumb|Folio from the ''[[Shahnameh]]'' depicting the enthronement of Kavad II. Created in 1518 in [[Tabriz]], [[Safavid Iran]]]]
The conspirators that overthrew Khosrow II and installed Kavad II on the throne were composed of several powerful dynastic factions; the ''Nemrozi'' faction led by [[Mihr Hormozd]]; [[Shahrbaraz]], who represented a branch of the [[House of Mihran|Mihran family]]; the [[House of Ispahbudhan]] represented by [[Farrukh Hormizd]] and his two sons [[Rostam Farrokhzad]] and [[Farrukhzad]]; the [[Sasanian Armenia|Armenian]] faction represented by [[Varaztirots II Bagratuni]]; and the [[Kanarang]]iyan. At this juncture, the Iranian army had been split into three separate armies; the army of Adurbadagan led by Farrukh Hormizd; the occupation army of Shahrbaraz; and the army of [[Šahrestānīhā ī Ērānšahr#Kusts of Eranshahr|Nemroz]], led by Mihr Hormozd.{{sfn|Pourshariati|2008|p=173}}

Right after Kavad II's accession, the grandees pressured him to have Khosrow II executed, telling him that "It is not fitting that we should have two kings: either you kill Khosrow, and we will be your faithful and obedient servants, or we shall depose you and give our obedience to him [Khosrow] just as we always did before you secured the royal power."{{sfn|Pourshariati|2008|p=156}} Kavad II, terrified and devastated, dispatched Asfadjushnas as a deputy to Khosrow II.{{sfn|Pourshariati|2008|pp=156–157}} Asfadjushnas' task was to explain to Khosrow II all the crimes he had committed, and the reasons for his removal and eventual execution. The lengthy discussion between the two is recounted by [[al-Tabari]]. Agitated, Kavad II ordered his father to be executed. Although various figures wanted vengeance upon Khosrow II, no one dared to commit [[regicide]]. Mihr Hormozd eventually volunteered.{{sfn|Pourshariati|2008|p=157}} He was the son of Mardanshah, the former ''[[padgospan]]'' of Nemroz, who had at his own request been executed by Khosrow II, due to being mutilated and dishonored by the latter.{{sfn|Pourshariati|2008|pp=157–158}} Khosrow II was executed on 28 February 628.{{sfn|Howard-Johnston|2020|p=319}}

It was also either during this period or later, that Kavad II had all his brothers (17 or 18 of them) executed.{{efn|The 9th-century historian [[Abu Hanifa Dinawari|Dinawari]] mentioned a son of [[Khosrow II]] and [[Gordiya]], named [[Juvansher]], as later ruling as ''shahanshah''. If true, it would mean that Juvansher managed to avoid Kavad II's slaughter of his brothers. This king remains obscure, and none of his coins have yet been found.{{sfn|Al-Tabari|1985–2007|loc=v. 5: p. 404 (note 996)}}}}{{sfn|Schindel|2022}} This was done at the instigation of his minister [[Piruz Khosrow]] and Shamta, the son of Khosrow II's treasurer [[Yazdin]].{{sfn|Pourshariati|2008|p=175 (see also note 950)}}{{sfn|Bonner|2020|p=314}} Al-Tabari describes the executed brothers as "men of good education, bravery, and the manly virtues".{{sfn|Al-Tabari|1985–2007|loc=v. 5: p. 398}} He adds that Kavad II was scolded by his sisters [[Boran]] and [[Azarmidokht]] for his actions, which caused him to become remorseful.{{sfn|Al-Tabari|1985–2007|loc=v. 5: p. 399}}