Character · The Shahnameh · Volume III

Gordviگردوی

gord-VEE

Brother of Bahram Chubin, who stays loyal to Khosrow Parviz and fights at his side against Bahram.

In the poem: First at E6.4, Bahram Leads His Troops against Khosrow; last at E6.46, Gurdiyeh Is Moved to Slay Gostaham
Named: 25 times, in 12 sections
Main stories: E6 Khosrow Parviz (25)
Parents: Goshnasp
Plates: Vol III: VII

Genealogical plate: The House of Goshnasp — Volume III, Plate VII: The House of Goshnasp. Tap to open the genealogies.

In the poem’s own words

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

E6.4

Bahram Leads His Troops against Khosrow

Bahram marches to Nahravan. Khosrow’s spies report a rebel who keeps royal state: audience, cheetah hunts, the book of Dimna. A Mobad lectures on the four shares of wisdom; Khosrow announces that he will ride out alone and offer peace before fighting. The armies camp across the water.

E6.4.25
When Gordvi, Radman; Armenia’s lord;And Shapur, Andiyan, came in accord,

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

E6.5

Khosrow and Bahram Parley

Across the Nahravan the king and the rebel abuse and argue with each other at length. Khosrow offers him command of Iran; Bahram offers a gibbet. They dispute whether kingship comes by blood, merit or conquest, trading precedents from Ardeshir to Rostam, until Khosrow laughs and turns back.

E6.5.4
Gordvi advanced before him as his guide,With Gostaham and Bandvi, both allied.
E6.5.24
Gordvi replied: “O king, observe the steed,That piebald courser of impetuous breed;
E6.5.27
Who flaunts his piebald with such haughty show?”Gordvi replied: “He comes to work you woe.”

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

E6.6

Gurdiyeh’s Counsel and Khosrow’s Purpose

A Turk’s kamand takes Khosrow’s crown before Gostaham cuts the rope; Bahram, furious that his parley was broken, withdraws. Gurdiyeh presses him again with fables and the example of Sahm. Khosrow plans a night attack, tells too many men, and is talked out of it.

E6.6.80
He called for Gostaham and Bandvi then,And Gordvi, seasoned chief of fighting men.
E6.6.88
Gordvi said, “Our plan is lost from sight;Your words have cast it to the winds tonight.

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

E6.7

Khosrow Flees the Night Attack

Bahram strikes first at cockcrow with six thousand swordsmen. Khosrow watches the slaughter from a hill, charges the three Turks, and is deserted. He sends the treasure over the bridge, fights Bahram, shoots two horses from under their riders, then breaks the bridge and rides for Tisfoon.

E6.7.25
Then Khosrow said to Gordvi, “Hasten now;Take Tukhar with you, loyal to his vow.

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

E6.8

Khosrow Leaves His Father and Flees

Khosrow tells the blinded Hormizd of his defeat and proposes Arab allies; Hormizd sends him to Rum and the Caesar’s kinship instead. As Bahram’s dragon banner appears, Khosrow rides for Rum; Bandvi and Gostaham turn back, strangle Hormizd with a bowstring, and rejoin him.

E6.8.24
To Bandvi, Gostaham, and Gordvi thenHe said, “We dwell with toil and grief again.

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

E6.23

The Intercepted Letter of Bahram Chubin

Bahram writes secretly to Khosrow’s chiefs, urging them to abandon the Sasanian line. His envoy, disguised as a merchant, sees Khosrow’s strength and hands the letters over. Khosrow forges encouraging replies, and Bahram, deceived, ignores his elders and marches to Azar Abadagan.

E6.23.6
To Gordvi, warrior of renowned degree,Whose fame was known wherever chiefs could be.

Gordvi named 1 time 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.

E6.25.8
Gordvi, the valiant, held the army’s right,A chief of name and practiced arm in fight.
E6.25.41
There Gordvi held command and challenged death,Ambitious, valiant, fierce in every breath.
E6.25.46
Gordvi replied, “Mottled wolf, have you heardThe weight of this remembered, piercing word:

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

E6.46

Gurdiyeh Is Moved to Slay Gostaham

Khosrow and Gordvi devise a letter promising Gurdiyeh marriage, provinces and honor if she will bury her husband. Gordvi’s wife carries it to the elm wood. With five helpers Gurdiyeh smothers Gostaham in the dark, then arms, shows the chiefs the royal letter, and wins them.

E6.46.2
One day he said to Gordvi, “So I hearThat Gostaham has drawn Gurdiyeh near.
E6.46.7
Then Shah and Gordvi sat, the chamber bare,And weighed Gurdiyeh’s part in each affair.
E6.46.15
For Gordvi is myself in heart and will;His trust and mine are joined and settled still.