Character · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II

Foroodفرود

fo-ROOD

Son of Siavash and Jarireh, Kay Khosrow’s half-brother, killed at Kalat.

In the poem: First at B9.45, The Birth of Forood; last at C3.12, News of Houman Reaches Bijan
Named: 69 times, in 20 sections
Main stories: B12 Forood and the Snowstorm Campaign (57); B13 Mount Hamavan and the Kamus Campaign (10); B9 The Story of Siavash (1)
Parents: Siavash
Plates: Vol I: V, Vol I: VI

Genealogical plate: The Kayanian House — Volume I, Plate V: The Kayanian House. Tap to open the genealogies.

In the poem’s own words

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

B12.3

News of Tus Reaches Forood

Forood, son of Siavash and Piran’s daughter Jarireh, hears that an Iranian army is coming and drives his herds into the mountain. Jarireh urges him to join Kay Khosrow in avenging Siavash, and to seek out Bahram and Zangeh, his father’s old companions.

B12.3.1
News reached Forood: “The sun has lost its light,Beneath the dust that veils the world from sight.
B12.3.15
Then young Forood, by grief and care oppressed,Approached his mother, whom he thus addressed:
B12.3.38
Then Forood said: “Among these ranks below,What man among them may I trust and know?

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

B12.4

Forood and Tokhvar Survey the Troops

Forood and his tutor Tokhvar climb a peak to watch the Iranian army pass, and Tokhvar names each chief by his banner. Seeing the two watchers, Tus orders a rider to bring them down, or to kill them if they are spies.

B12.4.1
With young Forood, wise Tokhvar rode beside, A youth whom cruel fortune long had tried.
B12.4.5
Then young Forood addressed his trusted guide:“Conceal no truth nor set one fact aside.
B12.4.41
Now when the Iranian troops looked highAnd saw Forood against the mountain sky,

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

B12.5

Bahram Meets Forood on the Mountain

Bahram rides up the mountain. Forood answers his threats courteously, names him, and proves who he is by Siavash’s birthmark. He invites the chiefs to a week’s feast before they march together, but Bahram warns that Tus is proud and may refuse.

B12.5.4
Forood then said to Tokhvar standing by:“Who is this man that climbs so boldly high?
B12.5.23
Forood inquired: “Who leads this great array,And who is most renowned in battle’s day?”
B12.5.28
Then young Forood replied with warm acclaim:“Why have you left out Bahram’s honored name?

Forood named 9 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B12.9

Tus Battles Forood

Tus climbs the mountain himself. Tokhvar urges Forood to retreat, then to shoot Tus’s horse rather than the commander. Tus walks back in disgrace while the fortress women jeer, and Giv declares that the prince must answer for the shame.

B12.9.10
Young Forood answered him with heart aflame:“What dread should battle kindle in my frame?
B12.9.31
Young Forood listened closely to that speech,Then bent his bow with deadly strength and reach.
B12.9.35
Meanwhile Forood pursued him with these cries:“What grief has struck the mighty chieftain’s eyes?

Forood named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B12.10

Giv Battles Forood

Giv climbs the mountain, and Forood kills his horse. When Bijan mocks his father, Giv strikes him with his whip. Bijan swears revenge, borrows a horse from Gostaham, and rides up in Siavash’s mail, which Giv sends him.

B12.10.2
Like a wild ram that vaults through broken stone,He came before young Forood all alone.
B12.10.3
At sight of Giv, Forood a cold sigh drew,Then turned to Tokhvar, asking what he knew:
B12.10.21
Young Forood strung his bow and held it calm,Then rubbed its rounded grip within his palm.

Forood named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B12.11

Bijan Battles Forood

Tokhvar warns that Bijan, Giv’s only son, wears Siavash’s mail. Forood kills his horse, but Bijan climbs on foot, takes another arrow on his shield and cuts down Forood’s horse at the gate. Forood escapes inside, and Tus swears to destroy him.

B12.11.1
Forood said to Tokhvar: “Another chiefHas climbed the mountain, bold in his belief.
B12.11.11
Forood’s shaft struck Bijan’s charger deep;It crashed as though condemned to endless sleep.
B12.11.12
When Bijan freed himself, he climbed the height,His sword in hand, and called Forood to fight:

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

B12.12

The Death of Forood

Jarireh dreams of fire consuming the fortress and wakes Forood. He arms his men and fights until noon, but his troops are killed. Rohham cuts off his arm, Bijan hamstrings his horse, and he dies inside the fortress, telling the women to leap to their deaths.

B12.12.9
She hurried then to Forood in alarm,And cried to wake him from impending harm:
B12.12.22
Then Forood from the castle ramparts cameWith all his valiant Turanians, hearts aflame.
B12.12.28
They battled on until the noon was high;By then Forood’s brave troops were doomed to die.

Forood named 9 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B13.2

Khosrow’s Rebuke of Tus

The beaten army returns from the disastrous campaign against Forood. Kay Khosrow curses Tus for disobeying him, killing his brother and losing the war, and sends the chiefs away in disgrace. They beg Rostam to plead for them.

B13.2.4
They spoke of how they fought Forood that day;Their only gain was grief and dark dismay.
B13.2.15
Forood too calls for vengeance to be done:The head must fall of Nohzar’s warrior son.
B13.2.17
Forood dwelt peaceful with his mother still, My brother, framed with Kayan blood and skill.