Ziyarid dynasty

Ziyarid dynasty
زیاریان
930–1090
Map of the Ziyarid dynasty, lighter blue shows their greatest extent for a small period of time.
Capital		Isfahan (931–935) Ray (935–943) Gorgan (943–1090)
Languages		Persian Gilaki
Religion		Zoroastrianism (930–935) Sunni Islam (935–1090)
Government		Monarchy
King
•	930–935	Mardavij (first)
•	1087–1090	Gilanshah (last)
Historical era		Middle Ages
•	Established	930
•	Disestablished	1090
Preceded by Succeeded by Abbasid Caliphate Nizari Ismaili state Buyid dynasty

The Ziyarid dynasty (Persian: زیاریان‎‎) was an Iranian dynasty of Gilaki origin, that ruled Tabaristan from 930 to 1090, and at its greatest extent, ruled much of present-day western and northern Iran.

The dynasty was descended from Vardanshah, leader of the Shahanshahvand tribe, which traced its descent back to the legendary king Arghush Farhadan, who was the ruler of Gilan, and lived during the time of Kai Khosrow. Vardanshah had a son named Ziyar, who married a sister of the Gilaki king Harusindan, who bore him a son named Mardavij. Mardavij later served another Gilaki military leader named Asfar ibn Shiruya, but later betrayed the latter and conquered Tabaristan, which led to the foundation of the Ziyarid dynasty, which he named after his father.

Mardavij then began aggressively expanding his territories, killing Asfar and capturing several important cities in Iran, such as Hamadan, Dinavar, Kashan, Isfahan, Shiraz and Ahvaz. He further planned to restore the Sasanian Empire through conquering Baghdad and ousting the Abbasid caliphate, but was instead murdered in 935. After Mardavij's death, his brother and general Vushmgir, was crowned as the new Ziyarid ruler in Ray.

Hasan ibn Buya, one of the brothers of the Buyid ruler Ali ibn Buya, took advantage of Mardavij's death by seizing Isfahan from Ziyarid rule. The Samanids also took advantage of the oppurtinity, but were defeated by Vushmgir, who then wrested Gorgan from Samanid control.