The word Marzban consists of two sections: Marz ("border" or "boundary" in Persian) and the suffix -ban (guardian in Persian). Persian is a language spoken in Iran, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Bahrain, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Southern Russia, neighboring countries, and elsewhere. ... Persian is a language spoken in Iran, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Bahrain, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Southern Russia, neighboring countries, and elsewhere. ...

During the rule of Sassanian dynasty between 3rd and 7th centuries CE, Marzbans were a class of military commanders in charge of borders of the Empire. The were resposnible for maintaning the security of the trade routes, resisting the encrouching barbarians (Arabs, Huns, or Turks), maintaining the first line of defense against civilized enemies (Romans, Kushans and Indians), and administration of the border areas. Head of king Shapur II (Sasanian dynasty A.D. 4th century). ... Roman or Romans may refer to: History Ancient Rome Roman Kingdom (753 BC to 509 BC) Roman Republic (509 BC to 44 BC) Roman Empire (44 BC to AD 476) Roman citizen Byzantine Empire (330 to 1453), also known as the Eastern Roman Empire or the Empire of the Greeks... Boundary of the Kushan empire, c. ...

It is not clear whether they had authority over castles in their area of operation, as Arg Badhs were responsible for castles.

In many ways, Persian Marzbans had the same function and status of medieval Germanic Margraves. The Persians are an Iranian people who speak the Persian language and share a common culture and history. ... Margrave is the English and French form of the German title Markgraf (from Mark march and Graf count) and certain equivalent nobiliary (princely) titles in other languages. ...

The Marzban of Abarshahr in central asia was called "Kenarang".