Character · The Shahnameh · Volume III

Andiyanاندیان

an-dee-YAHN

An Iranian chief, companion of Shapur, who follows Khosrow Parviz to Rum and is rewarded with a province.

In the poem: First at E6.4, Bahram Leads His Troops against Khosrow; last at E6.30, Khosrow Rewards Niyatus and the Romans
Named: 11 times, in 8 sections
Main stories: E6 Khosrow Parviz (11)

In the poem’s own words

The 8 sections that name Andiyan most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Andiyan. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.

E6.4

Bahram Leads His Troops against Khosrow

Bahram marches to Nahravan. Khosrow’s spies report a rebel who keeps royal state: audience, cheetah hunts, the book of Dimna. A Mobad lectures on the four shares of wisdom; Khosrow announces that he will ride out alone and offer peace before fighting. The armies camp across the water.

E6.4.25
When Gordvi, Radman; Armenia’s lord;And Shapur, Andiyan, came in accord,

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

E6.6

Gurdiyeh’s Counsel and Khosrow’s Purpose

A Turk’s kamand takes Khosrow’s crown before Gostaham cuts the rope; Bahram, furious that his parley was broken, withdraws. Gurdiyeh presses him again with fables and the example of Sahm. Khosrow plans a night attack, tells too many men, and is talked out of it.

E6.6.95
Shapur, Andiyan, Bandvi, proved in field,With fierce Nastooh, the hero-scorching shield;

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

E6.14

Caesar’s Horseman Comes to Khosrow

A Roman horseman brings Caesar’s welcome and a promise of arms. Khosrow briefs his envoys for the Roman court — to win at polo and archery, to write few words for philosophers to weigh — and sends them. Kharrad delivers the letter standing, and Caesar weeps.

E6.14.8
He called brave Gostaham, Balvi, and thenShapur and Andiyan, his seasoned men.
E6.14.36
Kharrad and Andiyan, in gold arrayed,With jeweled belts and coronets displayed,

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

E6.18

Khosrow Replies on the Alliance

Khosrow answers in Pahlavi, swearing to demand no tribute, to restore the towns Rum has lost, and to take Caesar’s daughter as his wife. He traces his line from Kioumars to Ardeshir and claims kinship with Rum through Salm. Caesar reads it and consults his chiefs.

E6.18.11
Gostaham, Kharrad of Barzin’s honored name,Shapur and Andiyan, of noble fame.

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

E6.19

The Mystery of Caesar’s Talisman

Caesar has his adepts build an automaton of a weeping widow. Gostaham, Balvi, Shapur and Andiyan all counsel it in vain; Kharrad alone sees that its motions repeat and exposes the trick. Caesar then shows him a rider hung in the air beneath a lodestone dome.

E6.19.35
Next day said Caesar, “Balvi, take the roadWith Andiyan and Shapur to her abode.

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

E6.23

The Intercepted Letter of Bahram Chubin

Bahram writes secretly to Khosrow’s chiefs, urging them to abandon the Sasanian line. His envoy, disguised as a merchant, sees Khosrow’s strength and hands the letters over. Khosrow forges encouraging replies, and Bahram, deceived, ignores his elders and marches to Azar Abadagan.

E6.23.7
To brave Shapur and Andiyan beside,And all in whom true greatness could abide.

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

E6.25

Soroush Saves Khosrow from Bahram

Bahram’s elephant is shot from under him and he fights on foot. Khosrow rides out with fourteen chosen men, who scatter; chased into a blind cave, he prays and is carried to safety by Soroush. Bahram, seeing it, despairs of his fortune, and Khosrow renews the battle.

E6.25.10
Shapur and Andiyan stood close and grim,And drew their jowshans tight on trunk and limb.
E6.25.28
The Shah to Andiyan cried, “Lion of might,Make bows a storm and darken all his sight.
E6.25.66
Then brave Shapur and Andiyan were named,With Bandvi, Gordvi, each in battle famed.

Andiyan named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E6.30

Khosrow Rewards Niyatus and the Romans

Khosrow musters and pays the Romans, restores to Niyatus the cities taken from Rum, and sends them home. He worships a week at Azargashasp, then holds court in Anooshirvan’s palace, granting provinces to his chiefs and proclaiming justice and relief for the poor.