Character · The Shahnameh · Volume I

Arnavazارنواز

ar-na-VAHZ

Daughter of Jamshid, taken by Zahhak and freed by Fereydoon, who marries her.

In the poem: First at A5.1, The Evil Customs of Zahhak; last at A6.2, Jandal Goes to Yemen
Named: 9 times, in 5 sections
Main stories: A5 Zahhak’s Tyranny and the Uprising of Kaveh (8); A6 The First Kings: Fereydoon (1)
Parents: Jamshid
Spouses: Fereydoon
Children: Salm, Tur, Iraj
Plates: Vol I: II

Genealogical plate: The Pishdadian Kings — Volume I, Plate II: The Pishdadian Kings. Tap to open the genealogies.

In the poem’s own words

The 5 sections that name Arnavaz most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Arnavaz. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.

A5.1

The Evil Customs of Zahhak

Zahhak rules for a thousand years. He takes Jamshid’s two daughters, Shahrnaz and Arnavaz, and each night two young men are killed to feed his serpents. Two pious men, Armayl and Garmayl, become his cooks and save one youth in every pair, from whom the Kurds descend.

A5.1.8
One, Shahrnaz, was veiled and passing fair;Chaste Arnavaz, her sister, formed the pair.

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

A5.2

Zahhak Dreams of Fereydoon

Forty years before his end, Zahhak dreams of three warriors, the youngest of whom strikes him with an ox-headed gorz and drags him to Damavand. After three days of terrified silence, the Mobad Zirak tells him that Fereydoon, not yet born, will overthrow him to avenge a father and a cow.

A5.2.2
He slept one night beside Arnavaz fair,When dark foreboding filled the midnight air.
A5.2.14
Arnavaz spoke: “O king, why this dismay?What dream has torn your peaceful sleep away?
A5.2.19
Arnavaz replied: “Let truth become clear;You must unfold the secret of your fear.

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

A5.7

Fereydoon Sees the Daughters of Jamshid

Fereydoon smashes Zahhak’s talisman, kills the Divs in the palace and takes the throne. He cleanses Jamshid’s daughters of the tyrant’s sorcery, and Arnavaz tells him Zahhak has gone to Hind, where he bathes in a vat of blood to cheat the stars.

A5.7.26
When Arnavaz these words had clearly heard,She grasped the truth and in her heart it stirred:
A5.7.45
Thus Arnavaz disclosed the hidden thread,While high-born Fereydoon heard all she said.

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

A5.8

Fereydoon and the Minister of Zahhak

Zahhak’s steward Kundrav bows to the new king and serves at his feast, then rides by night to warn his master. Zahhak insists the stranger is merely a guest, until Kundrav describes what the ‘guest’ is doing with Zahhak’s wives.

A5.8.6
Shahrnaz, cypress-tall, sat at his right;Moon-faced Arnavaz shone, a beauty bright.
A5.8.40
One hand now rests on fair Shahrnaz’s cheek;One brushes Arnavaz’s lips as they speak.

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

A6.2

Jandal Goes to Yemen

When his three sons are grown, Fereydoon sends the shrewd Jandal to find three sisters as their brides. Jandal finds them at the court of Sarv, king of Yemen. Sarv dreads losing his daughters and consults his chiefs, but finds their advice useless.