Marzbans of greatest seniority were permitted a silver throne, while Marzbans of the most strategic border provinces, such as the province of Armenia, were allowed a golden throne.
Muslims invaded the Sassanid Persian Empire in April 633 and defeated the Sassanid army in the Battle of Chains, where the Marzbān (provincial governor) Hormuz was killed by Khalid ibn al-Walid in a duel.