e allowed himself,
from considerations of policy, to smother his religious convictions; and
he risked subjecting Persia to the horrors of a civil war, in order to
gratify a favoritism which, however justified by the event, seems to
have rested on no worthy motive. Chosroes was preferred on account
of his beauty, and because he was the son of Kobad's best-loved wife,
rather than for any good qualities; and inherited the kingdom, not so
much because he had shown any capacity to govern as because he was his
father's darling.

The coins of Kobad are, as might be expected from the length of his
reign, very numerous. In their general appearance they resemble those of
Zamasp, but do not exhibit quite so many stars and crescents. The legend
on the obverse is either "Kavdt" or "Kavdt" afzui, i.e. "Kobad," or
"May Kobad be increased." The reverse shows the regnal year, which
ranges from eleven to forty-three, together with a mint-mark. The
mint-marks, which are nearly forty in number, comprise almost all those
of Perozes, together with about thirteen others. [PLATE XXII. Fig. 2.]

CHAPTER XX.

_Accession of Chosroes I. (Anushirwari). Conspiracy to dethrone him
crushed. General Severity of his Government. He concludes Peace with
Rome, A.D. 533. Terms of the Peace. Causes Which led to its Rupture.
First Roman War of Chosroes, A.D. 540-544. Second Roman War, A.D.
549-557. Eastern Wars. Conquest of Arabia Felix. Supposed Campaign in
India. War with the Turks. Revolt of Persarmenia. Third Roman War, A.D.
572-579. Death of Chosroes._

The accession of Chosroes was not altogether undisputed, Kaoses, the
eldest of the sons of Kobad, regarding himself as entitled to the crown
by right of birth, assumed the insignia of royalty on the death of his
father, and claimed to be acknowledged as monarch. But Mebodes, the
Grand Vizier, interposed with the assertion of a constitutional axiom,
that no one had the right of taking the Persian crown until it was
assigned to him by the assembly of the nobles. Kaoses, who thought he
might count on the goodwill of the nobles, acquiesced; and the assembly
being convened, his claims were submitted to it. Hereupon Mebodes
brought forward the formal testament of Kobad, which he had hitherto
concealed, and, submitting it to the nobles, exhorted them to accept as
king the brave prince designated by a brave and successful father. His
eloquence and authority prevailed; the claims of Kaoses and of at