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Character · The Shahnameh · Volume III

Barbadباربد

bahr-BAD

The great minstrel of Khosrow Parviz, who laments his fall.

In the poem
First at E7.6, The Minstrels Sarkash and Barbad; last at E8.4, Barbad Breaks His Art in Grief
Named
14 times, in 3 sections
Main stories
E7 The Story of Khosrow Parviz and Shirin (12); E8 Shiruyeh’s Coup and the End of the Great Reign (2)

In the poem’s own words

The 3 sections that name Barbad most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Barbad. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.
E7.6

The Minstrels Sarkash and Barbad

In the twenty-eighth year Barbad comes to court, and Sarkash bribes the chamberlain to bar him. Barbad dyes his clothes and lute green, hides in a cypress in the royal garden, and sings three songs between cups. The delighted Shah finds him and makes him chief minstrel.

  • E7.6.3
    Barbad heard news of all the royal cheer,And what the people told him reached his ear:
  • E7.6.6
    Then longing stirred within Barbad’s breast;Though well supplied, he would not stay at rest.
  • E7.6.12
    The keeper heard and barred the singer’s road;Barbad gained nothing from the skill he showed.
Barbad named 11 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
E7.8

The Majesty of Khosrow Parviz

The poet describes the height of the reign: tribute from Hind and Turan, six named treasuries, twelve thousand women in the bower, elephants and horses past counting. Twice he breaks off to say that none of it held, and that a base-born hireling’s hand brought the king down.

  • E7.8.28
    Sarkash and Barbad served the royal hall,And answered Khosrow’s wish with every call.
Barbad named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
E8.4

Barbad Breaks His Art in Grief

Barbad comes from Jahram to Tisfoon, stands a while before his fallen master, then goes out and laments in Pahlavi for the crown, the horse Shabdiz, the armies and the halls. He curses Shiruyeh, swears never to touch a lute, cuts off four fingers, and burns his instruments at home.

  • E8.4.1
    Now hear Barbad’s lament; within your breastLet love for noble greatness find its rest.
  • E8.4.3
    From Jahram Barbad came in grief profound,To seek Tisfoon, where royal woes abound.
Barbad named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

Where the name appears

Named mentions by book, from the Universe Registry, the index behind this site. Titles and epithets are not counted.
E7The Story of Khosrow Parviz and Shirin12E8Shiruyeh’s Coup and the End of the Great Reign2

More in the Glossary and the index of characters.