Sasanian Empire, Khosrow II (590-628 AD), AR Drachm

Khosrow II was the last great ruler of the Sasanian Empire. He ruled the Sasanian Empire from 590-628 AD and is commonly known as Khosrow Parviz (Khosrow the Victorious).

After briefly losing his throne to the general Bahram Chobin, he regained it in 591 AD with the assistance of the Byzantine Emperor Maurice. Following Maurice’s murder in 602 AD, Khosrow launched a major war against the Byzantine Empire. His armies conquered extensive territories, including Syria, Jerusalem and Egypt, bringing the Sasanian Empire to the height of its power. From 622 AD onwards, however, Emperor Heraclius mounted a successful counter-offensive, culminating in a decisive Byzantine victory near Nineveh in 627 AD. Khosrow was subsequently deposed and executed by order of his son, Kavad II. The resulting political instability greatly weakened the Sasanian Empire shortly before the Arab conquests.

Large quantities of silver drachms were struck during his long reign, making his distinctive winged crown and the Zoroastrian fire altar among the best-known images of Sasanian coinage.