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Iran before Islam: The Sasanians
The reign of Bahram II
This coin was minted during the reign of Bahram II (ruled 276-293), great-grandson of Ardashir I. He is frequently depicted, as here, with his wife and heir. The inspiration for such family portraits on coins seems to have come from Rome, with which the Sasanians had frequent contact through trade and war.
Bahram II always wears a diadem (headband) with feathers, the symbol of Verethragna, his favourite yazata. Verethragna is the warrior god, the victorious force against Evil, who together with Atar (fire) protects the God-given Glory, the khvarenah.
Under Bahram II, the high priest Kerdir wielded considerable political power. He started his long career under Ardashir I and was already influential under Bahram's father, Bahram I. He passionately protected the Zoroastrian religion and opposed the prophet Mani, who set up a new religion in the south-western part of the Sasanian empire. Although tolerated by Sharpur I, Mani was imprisoned and died during the reign of Bahram I. Kerdir's career reached its peak during Bahram II's rule, when he led the persecution of Mani's followers, the Manichaeans.