The Bavand Dynasty ruled in the northern territories of Tabaristan and Mazandaran between the Sasanian Empire and Safavid Empire in what is now Iran from 661 to 1349 CE, the second longest dynasty of Iran. Legend states that the dynasty was founded by Bav as he rebuked attempts to bring Islam to the Zoroastrian region. After relations with Persia had normalized, the dynasty was ultimately converted to Islam in 842. The dynasty had three separate lines holding power both independently and as vassals to stronger regional powers. The dynasty ended with the assassination of Hasan II by his brother-in-law Afrasiyab’s son. Thank you to Alex Doyle for this fabulous article.