Azademun

Azademun (also spelled Azad-duman or Azad-mardan) was a class of lesser nobility or gentry in pre-Islamic and early Islamic Persia (primarily under the Sasanian Empire). The term translates roughly to "free men" or "free people."

These were landowners, often of lesser holdings than the higher aristocracy (the Wuzurgan), who held positions of local importance and influence. They occupied a social stratum between the great nobles and the common peasantry. The Azademun played a significant role in maintaining social order, administering local affairs, and providing military service to the Sasanian kings.

Their status was hereditary, and they were expected to uphold a code of honor and loyalty. They often possessed a degree of autonomy within their respective domains and were responsible for collecting taxes and maintaining security. Over time, their power and influence fluctuated depending on the strength of the central government and the political climate. Following the Arab conquest of Persia, the Azademun continued to exist and often played a role in mediating between the new rulers and the local population. They gradually assimilated into the new Islamic society, often converting to Islam and integrating into the emerging social hierarchy.

The term "Azademun" provides insight into the complex social structure of Sasanian Persia and the nuanced roles of different social classes beyond the ruling elite and the peasantry.