Character · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II

Farshidvard (Viseh)فرشیدورد

far-sheed-VARD

Son of Viseh and brother of Piran.

In the poem: First at B9.55, Siavash Falls by Gurvi’s Hand; last at C8.2, Esfandiyar Demands the Kingdom
Named: 44 times, in 24 sections (including 8 where the name may belong to Farshidvard, Farshidvard (son of Goshtasb))
Main stories: C3 The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs (27); C4 The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow (6); B14 The Great Battle with the Khan of Chin (3)
Parents: Viseh
Plates: Vol II: IV

Genealogical plate: The House of Viseh — Volume II, Plate IV: The House of Viseh. Tap to open the genealogies.

In the poem’s own words

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

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.

B12.22.23
When Lahhak and bold Farshidvard beheldGreat clouds of dust above the army swelled,
B12.22.28
At last bold Houman said to Farshidvard:“We strike the center now, and strike it hard.

Farshidvard (Viseh) named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C3.24

Iran and Turan Fight a Pitched Battle

The two armies fight from dawn until dark. Piran sends Lahhak and Farshidvard to the flanks; Gudarz answers through Giv, who commits Zangeh and Gorgin against them and then charges the Turanian center with Guraza, Gostaham, Bijan and Hajir.

C3.24.13
When Piran saw the battle’s fierce array,He called Lahhak and Farshidvard to say:
C3.24.19
And Farshidvard beside the stream then rode,Till dust rose to the sun along that road.
C3.24.23
Lahhak and Farshidvard raised dust that spread,As from their ambush paths they forward sped.

Farshidvard (Viseh) named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C3.25

Giv’s Horse Falters before Piran

Giv breaks through to Piran, but his horse balks and his arrows leave the chief unharmed. Bijan reminds him that only Gudarz can kill Piran. Piran flees to Lahhak and Farshidvard, who fight Giv, Guraza, Bijan and Gostaham to a standstill until nightfall.

C3.25.30
With yellow face he sought his chieftains’ aid,Lahhak and Farshidvard, both sore dismayed,
C3.25.38
Lahhak and Farshidvard, their strength combined,Rode out and challenged Giv with single mind.
C3.25.43
Lahhak dismounted; from afar, astrideHis horse, brave Farshidvard rode to his side.

Farshidvard (Viseh) named 6 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C3.41

Lahhak and Farshidvard Bewail Piran

Turan’s watchman reports the disaster. Lahhak and Farshidvard climb to the lookout, see Piran and the ten dead, and mourn, but remember his last order. The leaderless army debates quarter, flight and battle; the brothers refuse to submit and choose the desert road.

C3.41.2
He came to Lahhak, Farshidvard beside,With grief at heart and sighs he could not hide.
C3.41.14
Lahhak and Farshidvard climbed to the height,To reach the lookout with the field in sight.
C3.41.24
Before he challenged Gudarz to the fray,To Farshidvard brave Piran spoke this way:

Farshidvard (Viseh) named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C3.42

Lahhak and Farshidvard Return to Turan

The brothers ride for the desert with ten horsemen, break through an Iranian outpost at the cost of seven Iranian lives, and escape. Gudarz calls for a pursuer; the exhausted army says nothing, until Gostaham, who had been left guarding the camp, volunteers.

C3.42.2
Lahhak and Farshidvard now understood:No fight for name or vengeance would do good.
C3.42.19
Gudarz heard this and knew the two who fledWere Lahhak and Farshidvard, and he said:
C3.42.23
Pursue Lahhak and Farshidvard in flight;Raise dust from both beneath your sword’s fierce might.”

Farshidvard (Viseh) named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C3.44

Bijan Follows Gostaham

Giv blocks Bijan’s road and pleads with him; Bijan refuses, invoking Ladan and his debt to Gostaham, and Giv finally blesses him. Beyond the river the two Turks stop in a green meadow, hunt, eat and sleep, with Farshidvard keeping watch.

C3.44.2
News reached brave Giv that Bijan meant to rideAgainst Farshidvard, armed in battle’s pride.
C3.44.35
When Farshidvard and grim Lahhak had passedThe river, they went speeding like the blast.
C3.44.43
But grimly fortune held the pair oppressed;Lahhak slept; Farshidvard watched his brother’s rest.

Farshidvard (Viseh) named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C3.45

The Deaths of Lahhak and Farshidvard

A horse’s neigh betrays the brothers. Gostaham cuts down Farshidvard, then beheads Lahhak after an exchange of arrows that wounds them both. Badly hurt, he reaches a spring, drinks, and lies through the night praying that Bijan will be moved to come and find him.

C3.45.5
To wake Lahhak, then Farshidvard rushed in,And warned him that the onslaught would begin.
C3.45.21
He rained his poplar arrows in attack,While Farshidvard rode out to drive him back.

Farshidvard (Viseh) named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C4.3

Afrasiab Hears of Piran’s Death

At Baikand, Afrasiab learns that Piran, Lahhak and Farshidvard are dead. He mourns, throws down his crown, swears to live as a soldier until he is avenged, pays his troops, leaves Qarakhan in Bukhara, ferries his army over the Jihun and ranks his sons for battle.

C4.3.27
They spoke of Piran, Lahhak, Farshidvard,And nobles slain while fighting long and hard.
C4.3.37
Lahhak and Farshidvard, my chiefs of might,My horsemen, who will ride no more to fight!
C4.3.49
He spoke of Ruyin, Farshidvard, and allThe horsemen who had perished in their fall.