Jalinus (also spelled Jilunus) was a 7th-century Armenian dynast, who was one of the leading figures in Sasanian Iran. He was the commander of the guard over Khosrow II, during the latter's imprisonment. Jalinus was a Sasanian commander during the Arab conquest of Iran.

Background and identity

The name of Jalinus is the Arabic form of his original, Greek name, Galen.^[1] According to Pourshariati, the name was most likely not his personal name, but a title of his.^[2] He was probably one of the Armenian dynasty that became entangled in Sasanian history.^[3] He may have been the same person as Mushegh III Mamikonian or Gregory of Siwnik, who both also served the Sasanians in the early 7th-century.^[2]

Biography

Jalinus is first mentioned as the commander over Khosrow II, during the latter's imprisonment in 628.^[3] Although Khosrow had been overthrown and imprisoned by his son Kavad II Sheroe, he was still treated like a monarch, with Jalinus even addressing him with the formula anōšag buwād ("may he be immortal").^[4] After his defeat at the battle of Kaskar,^[5] Jalinus was sent by Yazdegerd III to crush the invading Arab forces along with 60,000 men and the commander-in-chief of all armies of the empire, Rostam Farrokhzād at the Battle of al-Qādisiyyah. Jalinus commanded the Right center of the army.^{[citation needed]} After Rostam's death at the battle and the other commanders' withdrawal, Jalinus took command of what was left of the Sasanian army.^{[6][page needed]} He gained control of the bridgehead, and succeeded in getting the bulk of the Sasanian army across the bridge safely.^{[7][page needed]} He was killed at the battle of al-Qadisiyyah.^[8]