Character · The Shahnameh · Volumes II, III

Arjaspارجاسپ

ar-JASP

King of Turan and Chin in Goshtasb's reign, who makes war on Iran over Zardosht's faith and kills Lohrasp; Esfandiyar slays him in Ruyin Dezh.

In the poem: First at C6.1, Ferdowsi’s Dream of Daqiqi; last at E10.10, The Plot against Yazdegard
Named: 109 times, in 45 sections
Main stories: C6 Goshtasb, Zardosht, and the War with Arjasp (58); C7 Esfandiyar’s Seven Stages and the Ruyin Dezh (30); C8 The Tragedy of Rostam and Esfandiyar (9)
Children: Kuhram (brother of Arjasp), Andariman (brother of Arjasp)
Plates: Vol II: VII

Genealogical plate: The Houses beyond Iran — Volume II, Plate VII: The Houses beyond Iran. Tap to open the genealogies.

In the poem’s own words

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

C6.6

Arjasp Sends Envoys to Goshtasb

Arjasp drills his envoys in court etiquette and sends them to Balkh. Goshtasb reads the letter in fury and summons Jamasp, the Mobadan, Zardosht and Zarir, spreads the Zand-Avesta open, and asks his council how to answer.

C6.6.1
When Arjasp’s minister, with thought profound,Had shaped the letter, captains gathered round,
C6.6.2
Arjasp then rolled and sealed the written scroll,And gave it to the warlocks dark of soul.
C6.6.15
Then they delivered him Arjasp’s command,The letter written in the Turkish hand.

Arjasp named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C6.7

Zarir Replies to Arjasp

Zarir and Esfandiyar draw their swords and swear death to anyone rejecting Zardosht. Zarir, with Esfandiyar and Jamasp, drafts the reply. Goshtasb seals it, tells the envoys that only the Avesta’s law on safe-conduct saves them, and promises war in Dey.

C6.7.9
Let me reply to Arjasp’s words of spite.”Goshtasb heard and judged his counsel right.
C6.7.13
They wrote to Arjasp, answering word for word,In terms befitting what from him they heard.
C6.7.17
He sealed the letter, wrote his royal name,And called the envoys who from Arjasp came.

Arjasp named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C6.8

The Envoys Bear Goshtasb’s Answer

The envoys return in disgrace and Arjasp has the reply read aloud: Goshtasb boasts of his lineage, his lions, Zarir and Esfandiyar, and throws back the musk. Arjasp musters Turan, dividing the army among Kuhram, Andariman, Gorgsar, Bidarfesh, Khashash and Hushdiv.

C6.8.10
Arjasp called in his scribes to hear the wholeOf what was written in the royal scroll.
C6.8.16
To you, Arjasp, vile Turk, these words are told,Who bear the likeness of a wolf grown old,
C6.8.42
Arjasp descended from his throne amazed,And at those written words in fury gazed.

Arjasp named 5 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.

C6.14.6
Arjasp beheld the prince lay great men low,And cried aloud to all his troops below:
C6.14.12
If he fights on, he sweeps us all away;Arjasp, Khallokh, and Chin will fall today.
C6.14.19
Arjasp, beholding this, was so amazedThat all the daylight darkened as he gazed.

Arjasp named 5 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C6.32

Esfandiyar Reaches Goshtasb

Goshtasb welcomes his son and promises him the crown. At dawn the armies close; Esfandiyar cuts down hundreds, takes the boastful Gorgsar with his kamand, and Arjasp flees by camel toward Khallokh. Spared, Gorgsar offers to guide the prince to the Ruyin Dezh.

C6.32.17
Neither Arjasp nor Chin’s Khaqan shall stand,Nor Kuhram, Khallokh, nor the Turan land.”
C6.32.29
That night Arjasp received the news with dread:“Goshtasb’s son has reached him,” they all said.
C6.32.31
Arjasp, in grief, called all his chiefs to hear,And spoke at length to Kuhram standing near:

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

C7.9

Esfandiyar’s Guile at the Ruyin Dezh

Esfandiyar enters the Ruyin Dezh as a merchant named Kharrad, with a hundred and sixty men sealed in chests among his camels. Arjasp grants him a house and a shop, laughs off rumors that the prince is crossing the Seven Stages, and bids him trade freely.

C7.9.48
Arjasp replied, “Be happy and secure;No harm within Turan shall you endure.
C7.9.58
He kissed the ground before Arjasp’s high seat,And praised him with a merchant’s words discreet:
C7.9.64
Arjasp then smiled on him and showed him grace,And set him in a more distinguished place.

Arjasp named 5 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C7.10

The Sisters Recognize Esfandiyar

At dusk the captive princesses come to the merchant’s gate with water jars. Esfandiyar shouts abuse to hide himself, but Homahyi knows his voice; he uncovers his face, swears them to silence, then wins Arjasp’s leave to feast the Turkish chiefs on the rampart.

C7.10.23
Her clothes were torn, her feet were in the dust,Her soul afraid of Arjasp’s wrath unjust.
C7.10.31
He left the shop, and to Arjasp he raced:“May life and joy be yours, by fortune graced.
C7.10.42
Arjasp was pleased; his head with wind was filled,His foolish pride by all these honors thrilled.

Arjasp named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C7.12

Esfandiyar Slays Arjasp

At night Esfandiyar opens the chests, sends his sisters to safety, storms the palace and kills Arjasp hand to hand. He seals the treasure, rides out with his hundred and sixty men, and leaves orders to cast Arjasp’s head from the wall.

C7.12.13
He roared in jowshan, lion loosed for fight,And reached Arjasp’s great palace in the night.
C7.12.24
Arjasp awoke, alarmed by all the din,And rose in fury at the clash within.
C7.12.31
At waist and head they struck with blow on blow,Till fierce Arjasp’s attack grew faint and slow.