He was a good, intelligent, and brave sovereign, resembling Ardeshir in features and in character. Historians state that when Ardeshir had killed Maharak, who was one of the kings of Persia, he attempted also to extirpate his entire progeny, because the astrologers had predicted that from it a man would arise and attain the supreme government of Erân. Therefore the daughter of Maharak fled from the wrath of Ardeshir, and took refuge with a shepherd in a desert. Shâpûr, who was hunting, alighted one day near the cottage of this shepherd, and asked for a drink of water, which was presented to him by this maiden, who was very beautiful. Being asked, the shepherd pretended that she was his own daughter, whereon Shâpûr, who had fallen in love with her, took her to his palace. To his astonishment, however, she repelled his amorous blandishments; but when pressed, avowed that she was the daughter of Maharak, and dreaded the resentment of Ardeshir. When, however, Shâpûr promised that he would keep the matter secret, she yielded to his passion, the first fruit whereof made its appearance in due time by the birth of Hormuz. They kept their marriage, as well as the birth of their infant, secret, until one night Ardeshir came to the house of Shâpûr, saw the child, and asked whose it was. Shâpûr then informed his father of his marriage, and Ardeshir was so glad that he immediately acknowledged Hormuz to be his grandson, and exclaimed: ‘Praise be to God, I am now relieved of my apprehensions concerning the prediction of the astrologers.’
When Shâpûr ascended the throne, after the decease of his father Ardeshir, he sent his beloved son to Khorâsân. Hormuz went to that country, and acquitted himself so well of the duty of aiding the friends and humbling the enemies of the Government, that he secured the esteem of all parties. Some envious persons, however, who were anxious to ingratiate themselves with Shâpûr, reported to him that Hormuz was meditating treachery; but when the latter heard this, he amputated his own right hand, sending it to his father with the following message: ‘I did this to show that I shall never stretch out my hand to covet supreme power,’ it being customary in those times that a person maimed in a similar manner could not become king. When Shâpûr received the message, he was much grieved, and returned the following answer: ‘If you cut up your whole body, you will nevertheless remain a prince and heir to my throne.’ Then he summoned him to his presence, and overwhelmed him with kindness.
When Shâpûr died, Hormuz ascended the throne,* but retained all the governors and officers of his father in their employments, and departed this life after a short reign of one year and ten days. The following are his sayings: ‘A man not possessing these five qualities is unworthy to be a sovereign, namely: (1) He must have foresight enough to perceive the sequels of affairs in the beginning; (2) he must be cautious enough to abstain from all improper acts; (3) he must be so confident of his own powers and bravery as not to be disconcerted in any emergency; (4) he must strictly fulfil whatever he promises; (5) he must be strong-minded enough not to be influenced by any superstitions or rumours.’ It is narrated that one of the towns founded by him was Râmhormuz, and his epithet was ‘the valiant.’