Character · The Shahnameh · Volume II

Darabداراب

dah-RAHB

Son of Homahyi, found as an infant in a coffer on the river; King of Iran and father of Dara.

In the poem: First at D2.2, Darab Is Raised by a Washerman; last at D5.32, Iskandar Marches His Army to Chin
Named: 54 times, in 16 sections
Main stories: D2 Homahyi and the Founding of Darab’s Line (33); D3 Darab (13); D4 Dara and Iskandar (5)
Parents: Homahyi, Homahyi (Bahman)
Children: Iskandar, Dara
Plates: Vol II: I, Vol II: IX

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

In the poem’s own words

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

D2.2

Darab Is Raised by a Washerman

The washerman brings the coffer home to his wife, who has just buried their own baby. They keep the child, name him Darab, sell the jewels, and move sixty farsangs away. The boy will not learn the laundry trade; he demands schooling, then horsemanship.

D2.2.22
Upon the third day, Darab was his name,For from the running water’s midst he came.
D2.2.38
Take care of young Darab and guard him well;What he may yet become, no tongue can tell.”
D2.2.43
The washerman cried out in deep dismay;His trade grew worse through Darab’s reckless play.

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

D2.3

Darab Questions His Parentage and Fights the Romans

Darab bars the door, draws a sword on his foster mother, and learns the truth. He buys a horse and arms and enrolls in Rashnavad’s army against a Roman raid. At the muster Homahyi wonders at his bearing, and her milk rises.

D2.3.1
Darab approached the washerman one day:“I cannot hide the thoughts I have to say.
D2.3.7
Darab secured the house and barred the way,Then reached to take the sword that ready lay.
D2.3.17
Darab stood silent, shaken by the tale,And pondered what its wonders might entail.

Darab named 8 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

D2.4

How Rashnavad Learned of Darab

A storm scatters the army and Darab shelters under a ruined arch. Three times a voice from the ruin calls him Iran’s Shah and Ardeshir’s son. Rashnavad has him woken; the arch falls the instant he rides clear, and he tells the chief everything.

D2.4.4
Darab, distressed beneath the stormy blast,Looked for a refuge till the storm had passed.
D2.4.24
Darab arose and mounted in their sight;At once the ancient arch fell from its height.
D2.4.25
When Rashnavad beheld that wondrous feat,He studied Darab from his head to feet.

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

D2.5

Darab Fights the Roman Army

Darab leads the scouts, breaks the Roman lines in two battles, and comes back with a cross in his fist. Offered the pick of the spoil, he takes one spear. The Iranians burn Roman towns until Caesar’s envoy asks for terms.

D2.5.2
He placed Darab in charge of scouts ahead;The vanguard, armed with poisoned spearheads, sped.
D2.5.6
When young Darab beheld the Roman force,He charged like a fierce wolf upon his horse.
D2.5.18
Then young Darab swept forward at full speed,And urged still faster on his mighty steed.

Darab named 6 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

D2.6

Homahyi Recognizes Her Son

Caesar’s tribute comes in and the army turns home. Rashnavad questions the foster parents, writes the whole story to Homahyi, and sends the ruby. She reads it, weeps, admits that she cast her son into the Farat for the crown’s sake, and gives alms.

D2.6.3
Iran’s men journeyed home with joy and pride;Darab and Rashnavad rode side by side.
D2.6.13
How young Darab had slept beneath the vault,And how he fought amid the fierce assault;
D2.6.36
Darab and all the nobles who came tooTold none upon that ride of what they knew.

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

D2.7

Homahyi Seats Darab on the Throne

The queen has a crown, robes and a double throne prepared, and an astrologer picks the day. She bows to her son, scatters gems, sets the crown on him, and asks his pardon. He forgives her; the nobles acclaim him; she yields the reign.

D2.7.6
In Bahman’s month, on Shahrivar’s bright day,At dawn she called Darab without delay.
D2.7.8
When young Darab approached the palace gate,She came from far to bow before his state.
D2.7.15
She told Darab, “Let all that passed awayBe like the wind that does not pause or stay.

Darab named 6 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

D3.3

Darab Fights Faylaqus and Weds His Daughter

Darab invades Rum. Faylaqus musters Amuriyah’s legions, loses two battles, and shuts himself in his fortress. His envoy sues for peace; Darab’s counselors praise Faylaqus’s daughter, and the king demands her along with the tribute. Nahid is sent to Pars in state.

D3.3.1
Darab left the spearmen’s plain with his band,To strike the wealthy Romans in their land.
D3.3.6
The Roman nobles left their lands behind,As great Darab advanced with war in mind.
D3.3.11
The Romans fled to town from Darab’s might;Two thirds of those who marched returned in flight.

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

D3.4

Darab Rejects His Wife, and Two Births

A foul breath spoils the wedding night. A healer cures Nahid with the herb eskandar, but Darab’s desire is gone and he sends her home pregnant. She bears Iskandar, named for the herb; Faylaqus claims him as his own son. Darab’s other wife bears Dara.

D3.4.17
None spoke of Darab; none would name that one:The Caesar was the father, he the son.
D3.4.18
He hid his shame, lest anyone should knowThat Darab had dismissed his daughter so.
D3.4.32
When Nahid left, Darab took as his wifeAnother bride to share his royal life.