Character · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II

Ashkashاشکش

ash-KASH

An Iranian commander under Kay Khosrow.

In the poem: First at B11.3, Kay Khosrow Surveys His Kingdom; last at C4.38, Khosrow Returns to His Father’s City
Named: 23 times, in 17 sections
Main stories: C2 The Tale of Bijan and Manijeh (6); C3 The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs (6); C4 The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow (6)

In the poem’s own words

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

B11.3

Kay Khosrow Surveys His Kingdom

Kay Khosrow tours his kingdom with Rostam and the nobles, hunting, rebuilding ruined towns and scattering gold. He prays at the fire temple of Azargashasp in Azar Abadagan and then joins his grandfather Kavus.

B11.3.4
With Rohham, Bijan, Ashkash known to fame,Kavus’s Fariborz and Zangeh came.

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

B11.8

Kay Khosrow Inspects the Army

Kay Khosrow reviews the army from a throne on an elephant. Clan after clan passes under its banner: Fariborz, Gudarz and his sons, Gostaham, Ashkash, Farhad, Guraza, Zangeh and Faramarz, whom the Shah sends to Hind with counsel. At the feast Khosrow reflects on the passing world.

B11.8.45
He blessed the Shah, who gloried in his fame,Then prudent Ashkash came, his turn to claim.
B11.8.50
Ashkash saluted Kay Khosrow at length,And praised the fortune of his growing strength.
B11.8.54
Behind Ashkash rode Farhad, tried and true,Who cared for all the troops the journey through.

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

B12.22

The Turanians Defeat the Iranians

The armies meet. Houman breaks the Iranian center and Fariborz flees. Giv shames Gudarz into standing firm; Bijan cuts the Kaviani banner in two to bring half of it back. Rivniz son of Kavus is killed, and Bahram saves his crown, but the Iranians are routed with terrible losses.

B12.22.8
Upon the left stood Ashkash, battle-tried,Who made the foemen’s blood run like a tide.

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

C2.20

Rostam Arms His Men

Khosrow offers troops and treasure. Rostam answers that this task needs craft, not weapons: they will travel as merchants. He takes ten camel-loads of minted gold and a hundred of goods, a thousand horsemen for the caravan, and names seven chiefs to guard it.

C2.20.20
Then Rohham and brave Farhad, tested, tried,And Ashkash, lion-hearted, at their side.

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

C2.24

Rostam Rescues Bijan from the Pit

Seven chiefs cannot shift the stone, so Rostam lifts it alone and hurls it away. He makes Bijan pardon Gorgin before drawing him up by kamand, breaks his fetters, and sends him off with Manijeh while he rides against Afrasiab.

C2.24.48
Ashkash, the watchful scout, went with the train,The army’s ears through every new terrain.
C2.24.49
Then Rostam told Bijan, “Take now the roadWith Ashkash and Manijeh and the load.

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

C3.18

Khosrow Sends His Reply

Khosrow answers point by point: Piran was never going to make peace; Afrasiab waits by the Jihun because he is encircled; Rostam, Lohrasp and Ashkash are winning elsewhere. He sends Tus to Dehestan, promises to follow, and orders Gudarz to give battle.

C3.18.30
With Rostam, refuge of the brave, in place,Lohrasp and wise Ashkash now close the space.
C3.18.36
From Khwarazm, where the watchful Ashkash went,The battle-cry rang high through heaven’s tent.

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

C4.35

Khosrow Battles the King of Makran

A last embassy fails and Makran’s king takes the field with two hundred elephants. He falls in the melee; Khosrow forbids any dishonor to the body, halts the sack and pardons the townspeople. After a year in Makran he leaves Ashkash in command and marches for the sea.

C4.35.48
He ordered shrewd Ashkash to end the raid,The pillage, strife, and harrying they had made.
C4.35.60
He bade Ashkash to take the force and standA while in Makran, holding firm command.

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

C4.38

Khosrow Returns to His Father’s City

Khosrow recrosses the sea in seven months, is met by Ashkash in Makran and by Rostam near Chin, and comes to Siavash-Gard, where he mourns on the ground of the murder and renews his vow. At Gang-Behesht he prays a whole night for word of Afrasiab.

C4.38.25
When Ashkash heard, he made his troops complete,And came upon the road, the Shah to meet.
C4.38.32
Ashkash brought all the wealth that he had foundThroughout the kingdom and its lands around.

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

All 17 sections that name Ashkash