The Mazdakite Revolution and reduction of the power of the Nobles
Of Sapor's successors, Yezdegerd I. (r397-417 CE) had friendly relations with the Jewish people; Yezdegerd I had a Jewish wife for queen[1], who became the mother of Bahram V. To this ruler belongs the story where Huna b. Nathan's girdle was adjusted by the Persian monarch. This story is cited as an example of Jewish-non Jewish relations after the coming of the Jewish Messiah (i.e. military might will show due respect for learning). This incident must have taken place in this monarch's earlier years; later on he became a strong religious fanatic, and in 414 ordered a bloody persecution of the Christians.
Bahram V (r420-438 CE) was forced by his counselors to initiate a new war against the Roman Empire. In the settlement both sides agreed to allow each other's religious functionaries freedom of action in both countries. Thus Christianity, which had been denied access to Babylonia until then, began to penetrate that country. He left the Jews in peace, but the success of the Christian missionaries inflamed the Magi. Hs successor Yezdegerd II. (r438-457 CE) in an effort to standardize religion instituted a persecution of the Jews which transcended in cruelty all that they had hitherto experienced in Iran, and was a forerunner of still severer sufferings. In 456 CE, (in which both the principals of the Sura and Pumbedita died (R. Naḥman b. Huna and R. Neḥumai) the king issued a decree forbidding all observance of the Sabbath and reading of the Shema prayer. The persecution was probably instigated by the Magi; the Christians and Manicheans having been persecuted five years earlier. His early death prevented further persecution. (Also at this time, the Jews of Arabia publicly differed with their Babylonian co-religionists by declaring that the Shema prayer must be performed at rising and going to bed – not as part of the morning and evening prayers. This raised the number of prayers in Arabia from three to five times a day).[2]
Yezdegerd's second son and successor, Firuz, (r459-486 CE), continued the persecution on a larger scale. The Jews of Ispahan were accused of having flayed two Magi alive;[3] and one-half of the Jewish population was slaughtered and their children delivered over to the fire-worshipers. In Babylonia too the persecution gained foothold; When the Exilarchs insisted on their right of autonomy and tried to defend themselves against attacks as they did against the Romans, Firuz "the wicked" put the Exilarch Huna V and his brother Exilarch Nosson II to death (470 CE).[4] This was the first time a Persian ruler had tried to wipe out the Exilarchate. Huna V's daughter and some of the Exilarchs entourage managed to escape to Arabia – an event of historical significance: the introduction of Jewish noble blood (sherif) into Arabia.
The Jews, coming under immediate Persian domination, underwent a year of suffering, which in the Talmud is called "the year of the destruction of the world". From this year to 474 a series of violent acts followed, such as the destruction of synagogues, prohibition of the study of the Law, the forcible delivery of children to the Fire Temples, the imprisonment and execution of Amemar b. Mar Yanuka and Meshershiya. The destruction of Sura also took place at this time.[5] Firuz suffered a violent death in 486 CE. In 501 Rabina, the last of the Amoraim (quoters) died and the Talmud was closed; succeeding teachers were called Savoraim (explainers).
With the reign of Balash, the Mazdakite movement gained momentum. All indications show that Mazdak was of Iraqi origin, seeing that his doctrines made most headway there. The Mazdakite, "communists" proclaimed the doctrine of community of property, including women. At the time he gained much popular support, especially from the poorer sector of the community. The Zarthusti clergy, the Jews and the Church at this time were enormously wealthy. And there was great disparity between the nobles and rulers and the common people. This movement was looked favourably by the Sassanids rulers as it directly attacked the rich nobles, reducing their power.
Fortunately for the Jews, Exilarch Huna VI (r 484-508 CE) obtained from King Balash the right to bear arms to protect his citizens. He succeeded to some extent in protecting his coreligionists against the Mazdakites. But, King Kobad, to break the pride of the Persian nobles, embraced the new religion, and although deposed by them for a period, he remained a devotee of the new faith.