Character · The Shahnameh · Volume III

Babakبابک

bah-BAK

Lord of Istakhr under Ardavan, who takes Sasan into his service and raises Ardeshir; also Anooshirvan's Mobad who musters the army.

In the poem: First at D6.2, The Tribal Kings; last at E6.23, The Intercepted Letter of Bahram Chubin
Named: 35 times, in 9 sections
Main stories: D6 The Ashkanian Dynasty (21); D13 Anooshirvan and the Road to the End-time (12); E6 Khosrow Parviz (2)
Parents: Rudyab
Children: Babak’s daughter
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 Babak most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Babak. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.

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.

D6.2.18
Babak held Istakhr from him; such strength he bore,His hook could make a mighty dragon roar.

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

D6.3

Babak Dreams of Sasan, Descendant of Dara

A descendant of Dara, the fourth Sasan, herds Babak’s flocks. Babak dreams of him riding an elephant, then of three fires blazing before him; the interpreters promise kingship to him or his son. Babak learns his lineage, raises him up, and gives him his daughter.

D6.3.12
He saw the master-shepherd on the plain,At Babak’s flocks, and spoke of need and pain:
D6.3.16
One night Babak, the son of Rudyab, dreamedA vision clear within his soul, which gleamed:
D6.3.24
Babak awoke, his soul disturbed and grave,And anxious thoughts rose up like wave on wave.

Babak named 10 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

D6.4

Ardeshir Babakan and His Rival

Babak’s grandson Ardeshir is summoned to Ardavan’s court at Rey and treated like a son. On a hunt he shoots a Gur-e-Khar and contradicts the prince who claims the shot. Ardavan banishes him to the stables, where he lives quietly on his grandfather’s gold.

D6.4.10
He wrote to Babak, Pahlevan of fame,And thus addressed the chief of honored name:
D6.4.16
When Babak read, red tears ran down his face;Blood from his lashes marked their downward trace.
D6.4.27
Babak sent more gifts along with Ardeshir:Gold dinars, musk, and fragrant, sweet abir.

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

D6.5

Golnar Falls in Love with Ardeshir

Ardavan’s favorite slave Golnar sees Ardeshir from the palace roof and climbs down to him by kamand. Babak dies. Golnar overhears the astrologers predict that a man now held low will flee and become king, and she agrees to escape with Ardeshir, taking jewels from the treasury.

D6.5.18
Wise Babak, seasoned in the ways of men,Died, leaving this old house to others then.
D6.5.22
Ardeshir grieved for Babak, old and wise,And all the world grew dark before his eyes.

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

D6.7

Ardavan Writes to His Son to Capture Ardeshir

Ardavan orders his son Bahman to hunt Ardeshir down in secret. Ardeshir reaches the water, is recognized as Kayanian by the old boatman, and gathers the scattered kin of Babak and Dara. He claims the throne as Esfandiyar’s heir, founds a city, and rides for Istakhr.

D6.7.13
In Istakhr, too, the kin of Babak heard,And glory rose in every heart and word.
D6.7.28
They answered: “We, the heirs of Babak’s line,Rejoice to see your royal fortune shine.

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

D6.8

Tabak Helps Ardeshir and Defeats Bahman

Tabak of Jahram deserts Ardavan and brings his troops and seven sons over. Ardeshir distrusts him until he swears on the Avesta and Zand, then makes him chief among his counselors. After prayer at a fire, Ardeshir routs Bahman, takes Istakhr, and shares out Babak’s wealth.

D6.8.34
They showed him all the wealth that Babak gainedThrough toil and hardship, gathered and retained.

Babak 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.

D13.4.4
He had a Mobad; Babak was his name;Wise, fortunate, and shrewd in deed and fame.
D13.4.13
The troops came thronging to Babak’s review;Their horses’ dust rose dark across the blue.
D13.4.14
But when Babak reviewed the martial train,The foremost warrior had not reached the plain.

Babak named 12 times 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.

E6.5.180
When Babak’s daughter bore the royal heir,The Ashkanians held sway everywhere.
E6.5.275
Did Babak not bid Sasan take his crook,To tend his ewes beside the mountain brook?”

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

All 9 sections that name Babak