Other great officials, corresponding more nearly to the “Ministers” of a modern sovereign, were the Vzourkhramanatar, or “Grand Keeper of the Royal Orders,” who held the post now known as that of Grand Vizier; the Dprapet Ariats, or “Chief of the Scribes of Iran,” a sort of Chancellor; the Hazarapet dran Ariats, or “Chiliarch of the Gate of Iran,” a principal Minister; the Hamarakar, a “Chief Cashier” or “Paymaster;” and the Khohrdean dpir, or “Secretary of Council,” a sort of Privy Council clerk or registrar.  The native names of these officers are known to us chiefly through the Armenian writers of the fifth and seventh centuries.

The Sassanian court, though generally held at Ctesiphon, migrated to other cities, if the king so pleased, and is found established, at one time in the old Persian capital, Persepolis, at another in the comparatively modern city of Dastaghord.  The monarchs maintained from first to last numerous palaces, which they visited at their pleasure and made their residence for a longer or a shorter period.  Four such palaces have been already described; and there is reason to believe that many others existed in various parts of the empire.  There was certainly one of great magnificence at Canzaca; and several are mentioned as occupied by Heraclius in the country between the Lower Zab and Ctesiphon.  Chosroes II. undoubtedly built one near Takht-i-Bostan; and Sapor the First must have had one at Shapur, where he set up the greater portion of his monuments.  The discovery of the Mashita palace, in a position so little inviting as the land of Moab, seems to imply a very general establishment of royal residences in the remote provinces of the empire.

The costume of the later Persians is known to us chiefly from the representations of the kings, on whose figures alone have the native artists bestowed much attention.  In peace, the monarch seems to have worn a sort of pelisse or long coat, partially open in front, and with close-fitting sleeves reaching to the wrist, under which he had a pair of loose trousers descending to the feet and sometimes even covering them.  A belt or girdle encircled his waist.  His feet were encased in patterned shoes, tied with long flowing ribbons.  Over his pelisse he wore occasionally a long cape or short cloak, which was fastened with a brooch or strings across the breast and flowed over the back and shoulders.  The material composing the cloak was in general exceedingly light and flimsy.  The head-dress commonly worn seems to have been a round cap, which was perhaps ornamented with jewels.  The vest and trousers were also in some cases richly jewelled.  Every king wore ear-rings, with one, two, or three pendants.  A collar or necklace was also commonly worn round the neck; and this had sometimes two or more pendants in front.  Occasionally the beard was brought to a point and had a jewel hanging from it.  The hair seems always to have been worn long; it was elaborately curled, and hung down on either shoulder in numerous ringlets.  When the monarch rode out in state, an attendant held the royal parasol over him.