Many poets became the familiars of royalty and aristocracy, some holding the much-coveted office of nadtm: boon companion to the ruler. 12 This important and influential institution, of Iranian ori- gin-the founder of the Sassanian dynasty, Ardashir Babakan, is said to have described it as "part of government (siyiisah), and the means of strengthening rulership"'3-was regulated by a strict etiquette, and an abunpant literature developed con- cerning the qualifications and proper conduct of the nadtm.