Editing Khosrow I (section)

=== Consolidation of power ===
Sometime during the early reign of Khosrow, he had to deal with his eldest brother [[Kawus]], who ruled as governor-king of the northern province of [[Padishkhwargar]].<ref>{{harvnb|Daryaee|2014|p=28}}; {{harvnb|Pourshariati|2008|pp=288–289}}</ref> Unlike Khosrow, he was a Mazdakite (or at least had strong Mazdakite sympathies) and thus had their support as the candidate for the throne.{{sfn|Pourshariati|2008|pp=288-289}} Kawus asserted that he was the legitimate heir to the throne due to his older age.{{sfn|Pourshariati|2008|pp=288-289}} He was, however, defeated by Khosrow's forces and taken to [[Ctesiphon]], where Khosrow summoned the priests and urged Kawus to make confessions and ask for forgiveness so that he could be released.{{sfn|Pourshariati|2008|p=289}} Kawus refused, preferring death, forcing Khosrow to have him killed.{{sfn|Pourshariati|2008|p=289}} Khosrow reportedly "cursed the fortunes" for "forcing him to kill a brother like Kawus."{{sfn|Pourshariati|2008|p=289}}

Another danger to Khosrow's rule was that of his uncle [[Bawi]], who, along with other members of the Iranian aristocracy, became involved in a conspiracy to overthrow Khosrow and make Kavad, the son of Khosrow's brother Jamasp, the shah of Iran.{{sfn|Pourshariati|2008|p=111}} Upon learning of the plot, Khosrow executed all his brothers and their offspring, along with Bawi and the other aristocrats who were involved.{{sfn|Pourshariati|2008|p=111}} Khosrow also ordered the execution of Kavad, who was still a child and was away from the court, being raised by [[Adergoudounbades]]. Adergoudounbades disobeyed Khosrow's orders to kill Kavad and brought him up in secret, until he was betrayed to the shah in 541 by his own son, Bahram. Khosrow had him executed, but Kavad, or someone claiming to be him, managed to flee to the Byzantine Empire.<ref>{{harvnb|Martindale|1992|pp=16, 276}}; {{harvnb|Pourshariati|2008|pp=268–269}}; {{harvnb|Greatrex|Lieu|2002|p=112}}.</ref>