Parviz

It is recounted that Caesar of Rome, having cleared his royal court of all strangers, sat in deep and anxious deliberation with his chief mobad and counselor to decide the fate of the exiled Khosrow Parviz. The adviser urged Caesar to convene the purest minds of the realm—the revered philosophers of Rome—so they might unite their wisdom upon this critical endeavor. Thus, Caesar dispatched emissaries, and four eminent Roman sages, both seasoned elders and sharp-witted youths, were brought before the throne.

Taking their place in the council, the Roman philosophers recalled the long scroll of history: 'Ever since Alexander departed this mortal realm, Rome has borne hidden wounds inflicted by the Iranians. Uncountable wars, pillaging, and the reckless shedding of innocent blood have marked our shared past. Now that Fate has dimmed the fortune of the Sasanian dynasty and God has brought their own ill deeds back upon them, silence and neutrality are Caesar's best path. Should Khosrow regain his crown, he will instantly demand heavy tribute from Rome and trample our borders. Count the promises of Iranians as nothing more than empty wind.'

Troubled by the sages' stark warnings, Caesar drafted a letter to Khosrow detailing these historic grievances and the philosophers' counsel. When the Roman courier reached Khosrow and recounted the text, the Sasanian king turned pale with bitter dismay. Yet, gathering his royal composure, Khosrow delivered a fierce rebuff: 'If we were to harbored ancient grudges in our hearts, we would have turned away from your borders long ago. Our ancestors were noble and righteous sovereigns who never acted out of blind malice or foolish arrogance. What value do these idle complaints have now, when your own head rests in the dragon's jaws?'

Khosrow declared that wise rulers do not entertain baseless words. He vowed that he would neither rest nor sleep until he pulled himself from these dark waters, declaring that if Rome refused aid, he would turn his alliance toward the Khaqan of the Turks. Comforting his loyal Iranian followers with the reminder that Almighty God was their ultimate champion, Khosrow penned a resolute reply—blending stern warnings with royal dignity—and entrusted the letter to his trusted envoy, Takhar, to be carried straight to Caesar's court.