Isfandiyar (Sasanian commander)

Isfandiyar (Middle Persian: Sepandiyār) was an Sasanian nobleman from the Ispahbudhan family. He was the son of Farrukhzad, the brother of Rostam Farrokhzad, and the son of Farrukh Hormizd.

Biography
Isfandiyar first appears in 642/643, where he is mentioned as the prince of Atropatene, who at the head of an big army along with Muta and Varaztirots, fought the Muslim Arabs at Waj Rudh, a village in Hamadan. However, he along with the Sasanian commanders were defeated. Some years later, in 651, the Arabs invaded Atropatene, the domains of Isfandiyar and his brother Bahram. Isfandiyar once again made a stand against the Arabs, where a battle was fought. He, was however, once again defeated and this time captured. While Isfandiyar was in captivity, he told the Arab general Bukayr, that if he sought to conquer Atropatene easily and peacefully, he should make peace with him. According to Bal'ami, Isfandiyar is known to have said that: "If you [were to] kill me all of Azarbayjan [will] rise in avenging my blood, and will wage war against you." The Arab general accepted Isfandiyar's advice and made peace with him. However, Bahram, the brother of Isfandiyar, refused to submit to the Arab forces and resisted the Arabs. Bahram was shortly defeated by the Arabs, and was forced to flee from Atropatene. Nothing more is known about Isfandiyar.