2N. Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. [N.S., XIX, 
of the greatness of the house, while priestly influence, which 
was very strong, doubtless favoured its rise. 
In the beginning of the third century of the Christian 
era, one of the minor kings who ruled in Persis belonged to a 
dynasty the name of which was probably Bazrangik. Gozihr, 
the last prince of the Bazrangik dynasty, was overthrown by 
Papak, son or descendant of Sasan, who became master of 
the district of Istakhr (Persepolis). The coins and inscriptions 
of his son, Ardashir, give him the title of king. Perhaps 
Papak before his death was already lord of all Persis. His 
legitimate heir was his son Shapiir for whom Papak is said to 
have asked recognition from the Arsacids; but on Papak’s 
death a second son, Ardashir, refused to acknowledge his 
‘brother and was in arms against him when Shapir died 
suddenly (see Noldeke, T'abari, pp. 7 and 8). 
unique drachi (size, ‘80 in.; weight, 55 grs.) has been 
published by Cunningham (Numismatic Chronicle, Vol. XIII, 
1893, p. 178, Plate XIII, Fig. 1) which he assigns to 
-Ardashir I. 
The legend is :-— 
e hemidrachm described below is of the same type and 
with the same legend as above. Both these coins exhibit 
a style and script similar to the early binominal coins of 
Ardashir I (see the Bartholomaei Collection, Plate XXXII, 
Fig. 1). Itis probable that Ardashir came tothe throne of Persis 
in A. C. 211-212 (see Gutschmid, in Z.D.M.G., Vol. XXXIV, 
1880, p. 734) when he struck the binominal coins with his own 
full-face portrait on the obverse and, on the reverse, his father’s 
portrait in profile (see Thomas, Numismutic Chronicle, 1872, 
No. XLV, p. 54). Therefore it is possible to assign the date 
A.C. 211 to the coins of Shapar, son of Papak. 
Not only the coins and inscriptions of Ardashir but 
also the coins of Shapir give Papak the title of king, so in all 
probability Papak before his death was already lord of all 
Persis. The Arsacid empire was the union of many malkan or 
feudatory princes, each of whom ruled his special province, 
Numismatique Araméenne, ete., Journal Asiatique, 1889 ; and 
Zotenberg, Tabari, Vol. 11 ,p- 5). On this political organization, 
