sely connected. The full
legend upon the coins appears to be _Hur Kadi Valdk-dshi,_ "Volagases,
the Fire King." The reverse exhibits the usual fire-altar, but with
the king's head in the flames, and with the star and crescent on
either side, as introduced by Pe-rozes. It bears commonly the legend,
_ValaJcdshi_, with a mint-mark. The mints employed are those of Iran,
Kerman, Ispahan, Nisa, Ledan, Shiz, Zadracarta, and one or two others.
[PLATE XXI., Fig. 4].

CHAPTER XVIII.

_First reign of Kobad. His Favorites, Sufral and Sapor. His Khazar War.
Rise, Teaching, and influence of Mazdak. His Claim to Miraculous
Powers. Kobad adopts the new Religion, and attempts to impose it on
the Armenians. Revolt of Armenia under Vahan, successful. Kobad yields.
General Rebellion in Persia, and Deposition of Kobad. Escape of Mazdak.
Short Reign of Zamasp. His Coins._

When Kobad fled to the Ephthalites on the failure of his attempt to
seize the crown, he was received, we are told, with open arms; but no
material aid was given to him for the space of three years. However, in
the fourth year of his exile, a change came over the Ephthalite policy,
and he returned to his capital at the head of an army, with which
Khush-newaz had furnished him. The change is reasonably connected with
the withholding of his tribute by Balas; and it is difficult to suppose
that Kobad, when he accepted Ephthalite aid, did not pledge himself to
resume the subordinate position which his uncle had been content to hold
for two years. It seems certain that he was accompanied to his capital
by an Ephthalite contingent, which he richly rewarded before dismissing
it. Owing his throne to the aid thus afforded him, he can scarcely have
refused to make the expected acknowledgment. Distinct evidence on the
point is wanting; but there can be little doubt that for some years
Kobad held the Persian throne on the condition of paying tribute to
Khush-newaz, and recognizing him as his lord paramount.

During the early portion of his first reign, which extended from A.D.
487 to 498, we are told that he entrusted the entire administration of
affairs to Suklira, or Sufrai, who had been the chief minister of his
uncle. Sufrai's son, Zer-Mihr, had faithfully adhered to him throughout
the whole period of his exile, and Kobad did not regard it as a crime
that the father had opposed his ambition, and thrown the weight of
his authority into the scale against him. He recogni