Yazdjurd, the last of the Sassanid emperors of Persia is one of the most tragic figures of human history. He was born under an unlucky star; misfortune dogged his steps through out his life. He died young at the age of forty-one. For the first half of his life, he had to live in hiding as an exile. For the second half of his life, though a king in name, he had to run for life from pillar to post, and post to pillar. His death took place under tragic circumstances. He fell a victim to the treachery and disloyalty of his own people. His people even did not allow him a burial.

Chosroes Parwez
Yazdjurd's grandfather was Chosroes Parwez. He was a mighty monarch and during his reign the Sassanids were at the helm of their power. Parwez built a fabulous palace for his favorite Christian wife Shirin, and around it he created an earthly paradise. The name of Shirin is associated with the well known romance of Shirin and Farhad. Historical research has now established that the story of the love affair of Shirin and Farhad is mere fiction which has no founding in fact. Parwez had three thousand women in his harem. He had eighteen children. The eldest boy of these was Shahryar, born of his favorite wife Shirin