'A General Sketch of the History of Persia' [‎73] (124/636)

SASSAKfAN DYNASTY.
Persian arms, are not so interesting as the internal
government of the Sassahian kings. Yet Shapiir's
campaigns to the westward certainly had a direct
effect on the language, and probably on the civilisa
tion of the Persians. Indeed Mr. Thomas's suggested
translation of the Hajiabad Inscription indicates the
conversion to Christianity of the Persian King, pro
bably by the Heresiarch Manes, who, however, fled
from Persia, and returned after the accession of
Shapur's son, Hormazd. Shapur is said only to have
desired wealth, that he might use it for good and great
purposes ; and he constructed many useful public
works, and founded several cities.
The chief of these was Kishupur, 1 a town in Klm-
raslin, which is prettily situated amidst gardens and
villages grouped near to one another. In the time of
Shapur, the plain in which NisMpur is situated was irri
gated by 12,000 water-courses, but at the present day
most of them are dry ; nevertheless, there is amazing
fertility, and the climate is delicious. To the north are
high mountains almost encircling the plain, and many
villages lie in the gorges and on the slopes. Near
-Mishapur there are the most famous torquoise mines
in the world. 2
Shapur made his son Hormazd Governor of Khu-
rMn, with Mshapur as his capital; and the young
prince distinguished himself by repelling the invasions
Ni, reeds, and Shapur, from the reeds growing round it, ac
cording to some writers. But others say that the word is Nishabftr,
and that it has no special meaning.
See i eirier s C(xv(ivan Journeys \ Kinneir's Memoir 5 Heeren's
Researches.