Mushkan Niusalavurt

When the Christian Armenians rebelled in 450 under the leadership of Vardan Mamikonian, the wuzurg-framadar (minister) Mihr-Narseh appointed Mushkan as the head of Iranian forces.

[1] The following year (451), he took part in the Battle of Avarayr, where the insurgents were defeated, and nine of their generals killed, including Vardan.

[3] The contemporary Armenian historians Elishe and Lazar Parpetsi both give differing reports of the aftermath of the battle, albeit with the same outcome.

[4] According to Elishe, Mushken was greatly upset at the heavy casualties the Iranians had suffered in the battle, and thus gave the pro-Iranian Armenian prince Vasak Siwni free rein in Armenia.

[6] According to Lazar, however, Mushkan was dismissed and sent back to Iran after he reported the Iranian losses to Yazdegerd II, who then appointed Adhur-Hormizd as the marzban of Armenia.