It seemed to him a golden opportunity, of which he would be foolish not to make the most.

He accordingly quitted his prison, spread the report of his father's death, seized the state treasure, and scattered it with a liberal hand among the troops left in the capital, summoned the Christians throughout the empire to his aid, assumed the title and state of king, was acknowledged by the whole of the southern province, and thought himself strong enough to take the offensive and attempt the subjugation of Irak.

Here, however, he was met by Phabrizus (Firuz ?), one of his father's generals, who completely defeated his army in a pitched battle.

According to one account, Nushizad fell in the thick of the fight, mortally wounded by a chance arrow.

According to another, he was made prisoner, and carried to Chosroes, who, instead of punishing him with death, destroyed his hopes of reigning by inflicting on him a cruel disfigurement.
The coins of Chosroes are very numerous, and offer one or two novel and curious types.