Dad-windad (also spelled Dad-bendad) was a Parthian grandee, who served as the chief secretary ( dabirbad) of the last Arsacid monarch, Artabanus IV ( r. 213–224). He took part in the climactic battle of Hormozdgan in 224 between the Arsacid and Sasanian forces, which resulted in the defeat and death of Artabanus IV, with Dad-windad meeting his end shortly afterwards.

Dad-windad served as the chief secretary, which was a powerful post but also a risky one, with the possibility of a harsh penalty or even death. ^[2] On April 28 224, Dad-Windad took part in the climactic battle of Hormozdgan between the Arsacid and Sasanian forces. The forces of the Sasanian king Ardashir I numbered 10,000 cavalry, with some of them wearing flexible chain armor akin to that of the Romans. ^[1] Artabanus IV led a greater number of soldiers, who, however, were less disposed, due to wearing the inconvenient lamellar armor. ^[1] Ardashir's son and heir, Shapur I, as portrayed in the Sasanian rock reliefs, also took part in the battle. ^[3] Artabanus IV was defeated and killed during the battle, which marked the end of the Parthian era and the start of 427-years of Sasanian rule. ^[1] Dad-windad was afterwards executed by Ardashir I. ^[2] Ardashir I celebrated his victory in a relief sculptured at his previous capital, Ardashir-Khwarrah (present-day Firuzabad) in his homeland, Pars. ^[4] On the relief, Ardashir I is portrayed as riding on a horse whilst ousting Artabanus IV, who is also mounted. Ardashir I's son Shapur I, also on horseback, is portrayed as impaling Dad-windad with his lance. ^[1]

• Rajabzadeh, Hashem (1993). "Dabīr". Encyclopaedia Iranica, Vol. VI, Fasc. 5. pp. 534–539.
• Shahbazi, A. Shapur (2002). "Šāpur I". Encyclopaedia Iranica.
• Shahbazi, A. Shapur (2004). "Hormozdgān". Encyclopaedia Iranica, Vol. XII, Fasc. 5. pp. 469–470.
• Shahbazi, A. Shapur (2005). "SASANIAN DYNASTY". Encyclopaedia Iranica, Online Edition.