Character · The Shahnameh · Volume III

Gurazگراز

go-RAHZ

Warden of the Rum frontier who betrays Khosrow Parviz and later seizes the throne as Farayin.

In the poem: First at E7.9, Khosrow’s Injustice and the Chiefs’ Revolt; last at E9.3, The Reign of Guraz, Also Called Farayin
Named: 19 times, in 4 sections
Main stories: E7 The Story of Khosrow Parviz and Shirin (15); E9 The Years of Chaos (4)
Plates: Vol III: I, Vol III: IX

Genealogical plate: The Sasanian Succession — Volume III, Plate I: The Sasanian Succession. Tap to open the genealogies.

In the poem’s own words

The 4 sections that name Guraz most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Guraz. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.

E7.9

Khosrow’s Injustice and the Chiefs’ Revolt

The just Shah becomes a tyrant. Farrokhzad strips the people, who flee the country cursing him. Guraz, holding the Roman frontier, is the first to turn; Zad Farrokh controls all access to the throne. The two conspire, and Guraz writes to Caesar to come and take Iran.

E7.9.8
A mighty chief, Guraz, the Boar of fame,To whom the frontier’s high command once came,
E7.9.10
When that once righteous Shah embraced disgrace,Guraz first turned from Iran and shamed his race.
E7.9.14
He joined with old Guraz in secret thought,From realm to realm their secret plans were brought.

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

E7.10

Shiruyeh Is Released

Khosrow’s planted letter makes Caesar distrust Guraz and withdraw. Suspected himself, Zad Farrokh turns the army, and the chiefs resolve to crown the imprisoned Shiruyeh. Tukhar storms the prison and brings him out, and that night the watchmen cry Qobad’s name while Khosrow sleeps beside Shirin.

E7.10.1
The king dismissed the danger as but slight,And knew Guraz had stirred Rum’s lord to fight.
E7.10.2
He summoned him, but Guraz would not come,For fear had struck his heart and made it numb.
E7.10.6
At last a bright expedient filled his mind;He wrote to Guraz words designed to blind:

Guraz named 11 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E9.2

Ardeshir Is Slain by Guraz’s Design

Guraz, who helped bring Khosrow Parviz down, writes from Rum denouncing the new Shah and suborns Pirooz Khosrow, the court’s minister and treasurer. At a night drinking party Pirooz clears the hall and smothers the boy king Ardeshir, whose reign has lasted six months.

E9.2.1
Then tidings reached Guraz, whose treacherous prideHad helped cast Khosrow and his crown aside.
E9.2.27
When Pirooz Khosrow read Guraz’s scroll,He weighed that self-willed man’s intent and goal.

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

E9.3

The Reign of Guraz, Also Called Farayin

Guraz marches on Tisfoon, crowns himself as Farayin, and empties Ardeshir’s treasury on his followers. His two sons argue whether gold or royal blood makes a king. Ormozd Shahran Guraz of Istakhr conspires with the nobles and shoots him in the back on a hunt.

E9.3.4
It went to Guraz; when the envoy came,His somber soul grew bright as solar flame.
E9.3.24
When Guraz sought the garden for his wine,He brought but amber candles there to shine.
E9.3.34
Ormozd Shahran Guraz, a horseman bold,From Istakhr’s city, famed in deeds of old,