Character · The Shahnameh · Volume I

Gostaham (son of Gazhdaham)گستهم

gos-ta-HAM

Son of Gazhdaham at the White Fortress; young, but wise and brave.

In the poem: First at B8.5, The Birth of Sohrab; last at B8.21, The Tragedy of Sohrab
Named: 3 times, in 3 sections
Main stories: B8 The Tragedy of Rostam & Sohrab (3)
Parents: Gazhdaham
Plates: Vol I: VIII
Pictures: 7 panels · identity sheets

How we draw Gostaham (son of Gazhdaham)

The identity sheet the illustrator works from. Tap to open full size. More in the Art section.

Gostaham (son of Gazhdaham), identity sheet: Young adult warrior (Bijan's generation) — **Young adult warrior (Bijan's generation)**

In the pictures

Gostaham (son of Gazhdaham) in 7 woodcut panels of the illustrated poem, in story order. Tap one to see it with the couplets it illustrates.

B12.22Bijan and Gostaham Share One Horse

C3.26The Army Weeps as Gudarz Rides Out

C3.40The Victors Return with Gurvi Haltered

C3.45Lahhak Weeps as He Looses His Arrows

C3.46Bijan Finds Gostaham at the Fountain

C3.49Bijan Returns with Gostaham

C3.49Khosrow Binds the Healing Amulet

In the poem’s own words

The 3 sections that name Gostaham (son of Gazhdaham) most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Gostaham (son of Gazhdaham). Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.

B8.5

The Birth of Sohrab

Sohrab is born and grows at astonishing speed. At ten he demands to know his father. Tahmineh names Rostam, shows his gifts and warns her son to hide the secret from Afrasiab. Sohrab resolves to dethrone Kavus, crown Rostam and then take Turan.

B8.5.30
Gorgin and Gudarz, Giv I shall bring low;Gostaham, Nohzar’s son, and Bahram feel the blow.

Gostaham (son of Gazhdaham) named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B8.8

Sohrab Comes to the White Fortress

Sohrab reaches the White Fortress on the frontier. Its commander Hajir rides out alone to fight him. Sohrab lifts him from the saddle with the butt of his spear, spares him when he begs for quarter, and sends him captive to Houman. The fortress mourns.

B8.8.4
Young Gostaham, though still in youth, was wise,And valor shone already in his eyes.

Gostaham (son of Gazhdaham) named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B8.21

The Tragedy of Sohrab

Rostam throws Sohrab and stabs him. Dying, Sohrab warns that his father will avenge him, and the token on his arm reveals the truth. Sohrab asks mercy for his army and for Hajir. Rostam nearly kills Hajir and then himself, and Gudarz restrains him.