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Character · The Shahnameh · Volumes II, III

Arash (Ashkanian)کی آرش

kay ah-RASH

The legendary archer of Manuchehr's reign, a byword for a mighty bowshot, from whom the Ashkanian kings and Bahram Chubin claim descent; also an Ashkanian king and a marzban at Yazdegard's death.

In the poem
First at C4.2, Kay Khosrow Musters against Afrasiab; last at E8.2, Khosrow Parviz Answers Shiruyeh
Named
12 times, in 8 sections
Main stories
D6 The Ashkanian Dynasty (3); E6 Khosrow Parviz (3); C4 The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow (2)
Plates
Vol III: II
Genealogical plate: The Rise of the House of Sasan
Volume III, Plate II: The Rise of the House of Sasan. Tap to open the genealogies.

In the poem’s own words

The 8 sections that name Arash (Ashkanian) most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Arash (Ashkanian). Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.
C4.2

Kay Khosrow Musters against Afrasiab

With Piran dead, Kay Khosrow calls up the whole realm against Afrasiab. He gives Rostam, Gudarz and Tus three roads to watch, summons every province by letter, and sets out his order of battle: wings, elephants, crossbowmen, spearmen and reserves.

  • C4.2.39
    Beyond them Arash, blazing in the fight,And King Guran, the army’s shining light.
  • C4.2.83
    Their guardian, a chief of lasting fame,Was Manuchehr, son of Arash, great in name.
Arash (Ashkanian) named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C6.14

Zarir Is Slain by Bidarfesh

After two weeks Zarir breaks the Turkish ranks. Arjasp three times offers his daughter and treasure for the man who will face him, and is answered by silence until Bidarfesh accepts, kills Zarir from ambush with a poisoned javelin and strips him. Goshtasb offers Homahyi for vengeance; nobody moves.

  • C6.14.22
    He wields a gorz like Sahm’s in his attack,And shafts like Arash’s drive warriors back.
Arash (Ashkanian) named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
D6.2

The Tribal Kings

With Iskandar gone, no one rules the whole world. Princes of Arash’s line hold separate corners of it for two hundred years as the Tribal Kings. Ferdowsi lists the Ashkanians — Ashk, Gudarz, Ardavan, Bahram — and admits he has nothing but their names.

  • D6.2.5
    But princes, born of Arash’s noble breed,Were bold and headstrong, rash in thought and deed.
  • D6.2.13
    Narsi, great Hormizd, and Arash acclaimed,A mighty warrior, far and widely famed.
Arash (Ashkanian) named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
D6.9

Ardavan Fights Ardeshir and Falls

Ardavan brings up his armies; after forty days of fighting a black storm breaks his men’s nerve, and he is captured and cut in two at Ardeshir’s order. Two sons are imprisoned, two flee to Hindustan. Ardeshir marries Ardavan’s daughter and founds Khorra-e-Ardeshir.

  • D6.9.30
    Two sons of Ardavan were captive made;On Arash’s proud line the shame was laid.
Arash (Ashkanian) named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
D9.8

The Iranians Place Khosrow on the Throne

The chiefs bury Yazdegard and swear that none of his blood shall reign. Gashasp the scribe denounces the dead king; frontier lords claim the crown and the realm falls into tumult. The council in Pars looks for a just and generous man and crowns Khosrow, an aged noble.

  • D9.8.5
    With Milad, Arash, marzban, came one more:Gurzban’s Pirooz, who unhorsed foes in war.
Arash (Ashkanian) named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
D13.4

Anooshirvan Orders the Army Assembled

The Shah builds a muster office by the palace gate for Babak, who summons the warriors and twice sends them home because the king himself has not appeared. On the third day Anooshirvan rides up armed, is inspected, and is entered on the payroll.

  • D13.4.76
    A raw recruit is useless in the fight,Though sprung from Arash and of noble right.’”
Arash (Ashkanian) named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
E6.5

Khosrow and Bahram Parley

Across the Nahravan the king and the rebel abuse and argue with each other at length. Khosrow offers him command of Iran; Bahram offers a gibbet. They dispute whether kingship comes by blood, merit or conquest, trading precedents from Ardeshir to Rostam, until Khosrow laughs and turns back.

  • E6.5.222
    I spring from famed Arash, and in the fightI am a fire no man can quench by might.
  • E6.5.270
    Tell me, in Arash’s days, who held the land?”“Manuchehr,” said Bahram, “held command.”
  • E6.5.271
    Khosrow replied, “You know he ruled the world,While Arash served where royal flags were furled.
Arash (Ashkanian) named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
E8.2

Khosrow Parviz Answers Shiruyeh

Khosrow answers every charge: his flight from Hormizd, his vengeance on Bandvi and Gostaham, the comfort of his sons’ prison, the sealed horoscope, his treasuries, the frontier armies, his gifts to Caesar, the worthlessness of the Cross. Then he blesses the world, names the dead kings, and says farewell.

  • E8.2.202
    So Arash died, whose shaft flew far from sight,Its flight by farsangs measured in its might.
Arash (Ashkanian) named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

Family

Volume III · Plate IIThe Rise of the House of Sasanfrom Dara to Ardeshir Babakan · D6

On the maps

C4.2–C4.14Kay Khosrow's Last Offensive and the Crossing of the Jihun

Where the name appears

Named mentions by book, from the Universe Registry, the index behind this site. Titles and epithets are not counted.
C4The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow2C6Goshtasb, Zardosht, and the War with Arjasp1D6The Ashkanian Dynasty3D9Yazdegard I and the Rise of Bahram Goor1D13Anooshirvan and the Road to the End-time1E6Khosrow Parviz3E8Shiruyeh’s Coup and the End of the Great Reign1

More in the Glossary and the index of characters.