New Naqqaliشاهنامه
Oxen Haul the Dragon to Caesar

Oxen Haul the Dragon to Caesar

From C5.12, Goshtasb Slays the Dragon. It illustrates C5.12.38–49:

  • C5.12.38
    Ahran brought oxen, carts to haul the load,And charged his men to bear it down the road.
  • C5.12.39
    He said, “Convey it to the Caesar’s court,Before the legions, chiefs of high report.”
  • C5.12.40
    Before the oxen and the carts he sped,Toward Caesar’s court, with eager steps ahead.
  • C5.12.41
    When news of this was heard through all of Rum,The veterans rushed from every hall and room.
  • C5.12.42
    They saw the mighty dragon, slain and still,Brought down by that strong warrior’s strength and skill.
  • C5.12.43
    As oxen brought it downward to the plain,The crowd cried out at such a monster slain.
  • C5.12.44
    The dragon and the wound it bore drew cries;It strained both ox and wagon with its size.
  • C5.12.45
    The wagon wheels rang out with creak and groan;The oxen seemed too weak to haul alone.
  • C5.12.46
    All those who saw that sword-blow, deep and wide,And heard the ox and wagon, loudly cried:
  • C5.12.47
    “Did Ahran strike that beast so fierce a blow,Or did the sword of Ahriman strike so?”
  • C5.12.48
    Then Caesar left his palace, with a callTo worthy chiefs and sages, one and all.
  • C5.12.49
    Around the dragon, from the dawn till dark,They held high revel, stirred by wonder’s spark.

In the picture

Woodcut panels, identity sheets and banners © 2026 New Naqqali LLC, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0: share and adapt them for non-commercial use, with credit to New Naqqali. Rights & permissions.