Shirvanshah Afridun I

Afridun the Martyr was the eighteenth Shah of Shirvan. He was appointed governor of Derbent several times during his father Fariburz I's reign. "Afridun" is the arabicized form of the New Persian name Fereydun, an Iranian mythical hero.

Life

Under Fariburz I He was born to Fariburz I and his wife, a Sarir princess. After having suffered from several raids from the Shaddadid ruler Abu'l-Asvar Shavur I, Afridun was sent by his father Fariburz I to ask for help from the ruler of Sarir, whom Afridun was related to through his mother. However, the ruler of Sarir declined his request, and after three months, Afridun returned to Shirvan. On 30 January 1066, Fariburz appointed Afridun as the governor of Derbent, who was warmly received by its people. In July 1068, Afridun left Derbent and returned to Shirvan.

Reign He succeeded his elder brother Manuchihr II around 1106. He wed his son Manuchihr to David IV's eldest daughter Tamar in . Despite this alliance, Afridun probably continued to cooperate with Seljuks. David sent his son Demetrius on a punitive campaign to Shirvan in 1117. Demetre returned to Georgia after conquering the castle of Kaladzor (later Alberd, now Ağdaş).

Death It is said that he was killed in a battle against "infidels" near Derbent in November 1120, possibly while attempting to prevent David IV's invasion from Georgia, thus gaining the nickname "the Martyr". He has been succeed by his only son Manuchihr III.

Legacy His name is inscribed on Pir Huseyn Khanqah located near river Pirsaat: "This building was ordered to be built by Abu'l Muzaffar Fariburz ibn Gershab, ibn Farrukhzad, ibn Manuchehr's ancestor Jam Afridun" He is remembered by Khaqani in his ode to Ismataddin: "I saw jewels of Dara in the mines of Afridun the Martyr". No coins related to Afridun has been found so far.