He recognized fidelity as a quality that deserved reward, and was sufficiently magnanimous to forgive an opposition that had sprung from a virtuous motive, and, moreover, had not succeeded.

Sufrai accordingly governed Persia for some years; the army obeyed him, and the civil administration was completely in his hands.

Under these circumstances it is not surprising that Kobad after a while grew jealous of his subordinate, and was anxious to strip him of the quasi-regal authority which he exercised and assert his own right to direct affairs.

But, alone, he felt unequal to such a task.

He therefore called in the assistance of an officer who bore the name of Sapor, and had a command in the district of Rhages.