BAHRAM I

flourished 3rd century AD Sasanian king (reigned 273276). A son of Shapur I, during his father's reign he governed the province of Atropatene. His succession to his brother Hormizd I strengthened the position of the Zoroastrian clergy and their high priest Karter, and at their insistence Bahram imprisoned Mani, the founder of the antimaterialist, ascetic religion of Manichaeism. Subsequent religious persecution was directed not only at Manichaeans but at Christians and Buddhists as well. Bahram, distinguished by his characteristic radiate crown, is portrayed on a rock sculpture at Bishapur (in southern Iran), although his name in the inscription was later erased by the Sasanian king Narses.