Character · The Shahnameh · Volume III

Gashaspگشسپ

ga-SHASP

A name borne by several Iranian nobles (Izad, Ayin, Kanda, Hamdan, Ashtad Gashasp); alone, the father of Gharan, a learned scribe, and a royal treasurer.

In the poem: First at D9.8, The Iranians Place Khosrow on the Throne; last at E8.2, Khosrow Parviz Answers Shiruyeh
Named: 34 times, in 22 sections
Main stories: E5 Hormizd, Son of Anooshirvan (16); E6 Khosrow Parviz (11); D9 Yazdegard I and the Rise of Bahram Goor (2)

In the poem’s own words

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

D9.8

The Iranians Place Khosrow on the Throne

The chiefs bury Yazdegard and swear that none of his blood shall reign. Gashasp the scribe denounces the dead king; frontier lords claim the crown and the realm falls into tumult. The council in Pars looks for a just and generous man and crowns Khosrow, an aged noble.

D9.8.4
Gostaham, who slew elephants astrideHis horse, and Gharan, Gashasp’s son, beside.
D9.8.8
Gashasp the scribe, whose eloquence was famed,Addressed the gathered lords, and thus exclaimed:

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

D10.2

Bahram Pardons Iran and Remits the Arrears

Monzer pleads for the men who opposed Bahram and the king pardons them all. He feasts and loads the Arabs with gifts, makes his brother Narsi sepahbod, and then cancels ninety-three million dirhams of tax arrears and burns the ledgers. Iran celebrates at the fire-temples.

D10.2.28
Then Bahram, friend of all, issued commandThat Gashasp, learned scribe, should take his stand.

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

E3.3

Anooshirvan’s Wise Replies

Reports reach the Shah and he rules on each: a hardened sinner hanged, a careless captain dismissed, Roman captives freed, extorted taxes returned to Marv and Balkh, pensions fixed for a dead warrior’s children. Ferdowsi closes by thanking Mahmud for noticing his poem.

E3.3.53
Gashasp, the noble scribe, has years of skill;Let him take up this charge and serve your will.”
E3.3.54
The Shah replied, “Though far from want or need,Gashasp is still possessed by private greed.

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

E5.2

Hormizd’s Slaughter of the Ministers

Hormizd turns on his father’s men. He starves and kills Izad Gashasp, poisons the High Mobad Zardosht for visiting him, traps Simah Barzin through Bahram Azarmihan and kills both. A sealed scroll of his father’s foretells his own blinding and death.

E5.2.6
One old and two still young in strength and years:Izad Gashasp was first among his peers.
E5.2.11
Without just cause he lifted up his hand,And bound Izad Gashasp by harsh command.
E5.2.15
When he heard that Izad Gashasp lay bound,His own heart seemed by piercing arrows found.

Gashasp named 7 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E5.6

Bahram Chubin Takes Command

Bahram reaches court, argues against buying peace, and is given command. He enrolls twelve thousand armored men, all aged forty, defends both choices from the poem’s own history, and receives from the Shah’s hand the dragon banner of Rostam.

E5.6.49
He charged Izad Gashasp, who drew no rein,To guard the camp-stores and the baggage train;
E5.6.52
Kanda Gashasp, who riding would not failTo seize the lion by its furious tail,

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

E5.13

Bahram Chubin Overcomes Parmudeh

Parmudeh crosses the Jihun to avenge Saveh. Warned against Wednesdays, Bahram spends one feasting in a garden and is surrounded; he breaks out, then storms the Turkish camp by night. Parmudeh flees to Avaza, and Bahram rings the fortress.

E5.13.30
Brave Bahram mounted with Gashasp again,Accompanied by tested fighting men;
E5.13.75
Izad Gashasp led, at the chief’s behest,Four thousand warriors, battle-tried, the best.

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

E5.17

Parmudeh Appears before Hormizd

Parmudeh arrives with the treasure. King and Khan each watch to see who will dismount first, and the chamberlain settles it by taking the rein. Hormizd lodges him royally and feasts him. A punning remark about Chubin’s wooden music leaves the Shah suspicious.

E5.17.5
Still mounted, with Izad Gashasp beside,The Khan approached with grave, imperial pride;
E5.17.27
He asked Izad Gashasp, “What say you now?Has Chubin set our crown upon our brow?”

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

E6.25

Soroush Saves Khosrow from Bahram

Bahram’s elephant is shot from under him and he fights on foot. Khosrow rides out with fourteen chosen men, who scatter; chased into a blind cave, he prays and is carried to safety by Soroush. Bahram, seeing it, despairs of his fortune, and Khosrow renews the battle.

E6.25.90
To Yalan-sina and Gashasp he spoke:“True valor cannot hide beneath a cloak.
E6.25.103
Yalan-sina and Izad Gashasp spedWith fierce Bahram, and cries of battle spread.
E6.25.108
Izad Gashasp pressed hard upon his trail;The Shah felt doom descend and courage fail.