[4] The fall of Khosrow II culminated in a civil war lasting four years, with the most powerful members of the nobility gaining full autonomy and starting to create their own government.

[5] A few months later, a devastating plague swept through the western Sasanian provinces, killing half of its population including Kavad II.

[5] He was succeeded by his about eight-year-old son Ardashir III, who was killed two years later by the distinguished Iranian general Shahrbaraz, who was in turn murdered forty-three days later in a coup by leader of the Pahlav, Farrukh Hormizd, who helped Boran ascend the throne.

[10] After having his proposal declined, Farrukh Hormizd "no longer shied away from the throne itself", declaring "Today I am the leader of the people and the pillar of the country of Iran.

[10] In order to deal with Farrukh Hormizd, Azarmidokht supposedly allied herself with Mihranid dynast Siyavakhsh, who was the grandson of Bahram Chobin, the famous military commander (spahbed) and briefly shah of Iran.

In order to avenge his father, he led troops to Ctesiphon, the capital of the Sasanian Empire, "defeating every army of Azarmidokht that he met".

[14] During her brief reign, Azarmidokht had coins minted with the image of her father on the obverse, with the inscription khwarrah abzūd ("Increase in Glory") and the winged crown representing Verethragna, the name of the god of victory.

[15] Her reason for putting her father was not due to her gender, but primarily to emphasize her legitimacy by relation to the royal Sasanian family, and most importantly to Khosrow II, who was considered the last rightful king of Iran.