Five Western Kingdoms (Fidem Pacis)

The Five Western Kingdoms period of medieval Iranian history lasted from the downfall of the Sassanid Dynasty in the 920s until the founding of the Mehranid Empire in 1272. During this time, western Iran was divided into a number of rival states, the main ones being Persis, Media, Hyrcania, Sakastan and Asuristan. Eventually, many of these came under the control of members of the Bagratid Dynasty.

The eastern regions remained part of a strong empire, ruled first by the Samanid Dynasty and then by the Shansabanids. The east was conquered by the Mongols in the 1220s, who failed to venture further west after the 1255 Battle of Arbela.

In the aftermath of that battle, the Mehranids, a prominent family from the region of Rey, Media, quickly rose to power, eventually supplanting the Bagratids as rulers of Media...