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.
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]
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]
Al-Tabari, Abu Ja'far Muhammad ibn Jarir (1985–2007). Ehsan Yar-Shater (ed.). The History of Al-Ṭabarī. Vol. 40 vols. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press.
