Mazdak was allowed to live in retirement unmolested, and to increase the number of his disciples.
The reign of Zamasp appears to have lasted from A.D.498 to A.D.

501, or between two and three years.

He was urged by the army to put Kobad to death, but hesitated to adopt so extreme a course, and preferred retaining his rival as a prisoner.

The "Castle of Oblivion" was regarded as a place of safe custody; but the ex-king contrived in a short time to put a cheat on his guards and effect his escape from confinement.

Like other claimants of the Persian throne, he at once took refuge with the Ephthalites, and sought to persuade the Great Khan to embrace his cause and place an army at his disposal.