Character · The Shahnameh · Volume III

Gostahamگستهم

gos-ta-HAM

Brother of Bandvi and maternal uncle of Khosrow Parviz, who helps depose Hormizd, later rebels and is killed at Khosrow's command.

In the poem: First at E6.3, Khosrow Seeks His Father’s Forgiveness; last at E6.51, The Ordering of Khosrow’s Realm
Named: 58 times, in 22 sections
Main stories: E6 Khosrow Parviz (58)
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 Gostaham most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Gostaham. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.

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.
E6.5.32
To Gostaham and Bandvi then he spoke:“A proverb suits this man who spurns the yoke:
E6.5.46
Then Gostaham replied, “O king, live long;Your speech is strewn with gems of wisdom strong.

Gostaham 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.

E6.6.7
Quick Gostaham unsheathed his blade to tearThe rawhide loops, and cut the deadly snare;
E6.6.80
He called for Gostaham and Bandvi then,And Gordvi, seasoned chief of fighting men.
E6.6.82
Then Gostaham replied, “O king, beware;Why place such faith in battle’s hidden snare?

Gostaham named 4 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.

E6.7.20
He said to Gostaham and bold Bandvi,“I read ill omens in what now I see.
E6.7.36
The monarch said to Gostaham, “No friendRemains to help us see this warfare end.
E6.7.41
Khosrow beheld him, stopped, and called his guide,The seasoned Gostaham, to stand by his side.

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

E6.13

The Hermit’s Prophecy to Khosrow

Crossing the desert, Khosrow is fed by an Arab caravan chief and by a merchant, and a storm breaches the walls of Karsan for him. At Warigh a hermit knows him at sight and foretells Caesar’s help, a daughter’s hand, victory within a year, and betrayal by Gostaham.

E6.13.122
Your mother named you Bistam; yet you claimGostaham, when in battle, as your name.”
E6.13.124
“Yes, he is that same man; of him beware:Through Gostaham you will know pain and care.”
E6.13.129
Then Gostaham said, “King, dismiss this fear.By holy God who made the moon appear,

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

E6.19

The Mystery of Caesar’s Talisman

Caesar has his adepts build an automaton of a weeping widow. Gostaham, Balvi, Shapur and Andiyan all counsel it in vain; Kharrad alone sees that its motions repeat and exposes the trick. Caesar then shows him a rider hung in the air beneath a lodestone dome.

E6.19.13
He sent for Gostaham, the warrior famed,And richly paid the sorcerers acclaimed.
E6.19.15
Then Caesar said to Gostaham, “Attend:I had a daughter, beauty without end.
E6.19.25
As Gostaham drew near the royal seat,The guileful form bowed low, his glance to meet.

Gostaham named 6 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.

E6.25.11
Close to the Shah, to ward him from all harm,Stood faithful Gostaham with ready arm.
E6.25.55
Meanwhile the king to Gostaham made plain:“If Rum’s legions should share the battle’s pain,
E6.25.61
Then Gostaham said, “King, do not desireTo cast your precious life in battle-fire.

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

E6.45

Gostaham Rebels and Weds Gurdiyeh

Hearing that Khosrow has killed his brother Bandvi, Gostaham raises the north in revolt and lives off raids. Gurdiyeh reaches him with her warriors after her flight from Chin. Yalan-sina sounds her out, and she agrees to marry Gostaham because he is Iranian.

E6.45.1
When Gostaham received the Shah’s command,He called the scattered troops beneath his hand.
E6.45.7
The Shah would now avenge King Hormizd’s blood,And Gostaham stood threatened by that flood.
E6.45.17
Meanwhile to Gostaham the tidings cameThat death had quenched brave Bahram Chubin’s flame.

Gostaham 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.

E6.46.1
Time passed; the Shah still nursed a private flame,And Gostaham remained the source of blame.
E6.46.2
One day he said to Gordvi, “So I hearThat Gostaham has drawn Gurdiyeh near.
E6.46.17
Lay Gostaham beneath the burial stone;Then win my heart and household as your own.