Character · The Shahnameh · Volume II

Ahranاهرن

ah-RAN

A prince of Rum of Caesar's kin, who seeks the hand of Caesar's daughter.

In the poem: First at C5.11, Ahran’s Suit for Caesar’s Daughter; last at C5.14, Caesar Demands Tribute from Ilyas
Named: 26 times, in 4 sections
Main stories: C5 Lohrasp (26)

In the poem’s own words

The 4 sections that name Ahran most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Ahran. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.

C5.11

Ahran’s Suit for Caesar’s Daughter

Ahran asks for the youngest daughter and is set against the dragon of Mount Sakila. He goes to Murin, who swears him to secrecy and sends him to Hishvi with a letter. Goshtasb agrees, and orders a toothed blade five arm-lengths long, quenched in blood and poison.

C5.11.1
Among Rum’s warriors Ahran stood in fame,Younger than Murin, noble in his name.
C5.11.12
Ahran replied, “Your bidding I shall do;I pledge my life to win the prize from you.”
C5.11.20
The servant said, “Great Ahran waits outside;A noble group of men stands at his side.”

Ahran named 15 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C5.12

Goshtasb Slays the Dragon

Alone on Sakila, Goshtasb is drawn in by the dragon’s breath, feeds it the toothed blade, and strikes off its head. He takes two teeth, prays in the dust, and speaks of his father. Ahran carts the body to court, and Rum credits him with the kill.

C5.12.1
Ahran departed, hurrying to heedWhatever brave Goshtasb might truly need.
C5.12.4
When sunlight thrust its spear across the sky,He and Ahran turned back and waited by.
C5.12.23
He came where Hishvi and Ahran had stayed,And told them of the marvels of his blade.

Ahran named 8 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C5.13

Goshtasb’s Prowess before Caesar

On the riding-ground Goshtasb outplays every Roman at polo and archery. Caesar asks who he is; Goshtasb tells him about the wolf and the dragon, Hishvi produces the teeth, and Caesar begs his daughter’s pardon, crowns the stranger, and orders Rum to obey Farrokhzad.

C5.13.43
At Murin and Ahran he glared in rage:“No hidden lie survives from age to age.”

Ahran named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C5.14

Caesar Demands Tribute from Ilyas

Caesar demands tribute from Ilyas of Khazar, threatening him with Farrokhzad, and Ilyas answers with contempt. Murin and Ahran predict that Goshtasb will be beaten. Goshtasb promises to bring Ilyas in by his belt, and warns Caesar not to trust his two sons-in-law in a battle.

C5.14.13
When Murin and Ahran heard his reply,They heard Ilyas’s challenge, proud and high.
C5.14.26
Yet trust not Murin and Ahran in fight;Do not call either to defend your right.

Ahran named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes