Character · The Shahnameh · Volume III

Gurdiyehگردیه

goor-dee-YEH

Bahram Chubin's wise and brave sister.

In the poem: First at E5.24, Bahram Chubin Reveals His Ambition; last at E6.50, Khosrow Grants Rey to Gurdiyeh
Named: 26 times, in 9 sections
Main stories: E6 Khosrow Parviz (22); E5 Hormizd, Son of Anooshirvan (4)
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 Gurdiyeh most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Gurdiyeh. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.

E5.24

Bahram Chubin Reveals His Ambition

Bahram lays his case before his chiefs, who answer in riddles and proverbs. His sister Gurdiyeh breaks in and argues from precedent that no subject has ever taken the crown. The council praises her; Bahram, unmoved, calls for wine and for Esfandiyar’s Seven Stages.

E5.24.29
Fair Gurdiyeh, endowed with noble grace,Whom Bahram cherished for her mind and face.
E5.24.35
Then Gurdiyeh addressed the warrior train:“Illustrious men, why hold your tongues in chain?
E5.24.78
But Gurdiyeh answered nothing in that hour;His counsel seemed to her a poisoned flower.

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

E6.37

Bahram Falls by Kharrad’s Design

Kharrad arms Kulun with a knife and the Khan’s seal, stolen in clay by the queen. At Marv, on the unlucky Bahram day, Kulun stabs Bahram and keeps silent under torture. Bahram counsels his sister, bequeaths his army to Yalan-sina, repents, and dies.

E6.37.77
Gurdiyeh came in anguish to his bed;She tore her locks; her lap received his head.
E6.37.113
Obey Gurdiyeh; let her counsel guide;A wiser counsel walks not by your side.

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

E6.40

The Khan’s Suit to Gurdiyeh

Ashamed of neglecting Bahram’s family, the Khan sends his brother to Marv with gifts, an account of his vengeance, and an offer of marriage to Gurdiyeh. She praises the Khan, pleads her house’s mourning, and promises an answer in four months.

E6.40.15
This letter to his sister you shall take,To noble Gurdiyeh; speak for my sake:

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

E6.42

The Khan Sends Tobarg after Gurdiyeh

Deserters bring word to the Khan, who sends Tobarg with six thousand Turks to bring Gurdiyeh back by persuasion or by force. In her brother’s armor she meets him unrecognized, hears the Khan’s new terms, challenges him, and kills him with her spear.

E6.42.1
Some men deserted from Gurdiyeh’s force,And sought the Khan’s protection on their course.
E6.42.21
Then Gurdiyeh came forth in armor bright,Clad like a warrior ready for the fight.

Gurdiyeh named 2 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.

E6.45.14
Now Gordvi came and stood before the Shah,And told what Gurdiyeh had achieved afar.
E6.45.18
He heard Gurdiyeh with many troops had fled,While Chin’s fierce chiefs pursued the path she led.
E6.45.21
When Gurdiyeh heard, she came with noble train,From Amuy, with her chiefs across the plain.

Gurdiyeh 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.
E6.46.3
He took Gurdiyeh to wife; great troops now standBeside him, drawn, I think, by what she planned.
E6.46.7
Then Shah and Gordvi sat, the chamber bare,And weighed Gurdiyeh’s part in each affair.

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

E6.47

Khosrow Receives and Weds Gurdiyeh

Gurdiyeh writes to report the deed and ask for orders. Khosrow, delighted, summons her by a sweet-tongued envoy. She pays her troops and comes with treasure; the Shah seeks her hand, has the Mobad wed them by the old rite, and sets her above his other women.

E6.47.23
He sought Gurdiyeh’s hand to make her bride,Then bade the Mobad wed them by old rite.

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

E6.48

Gurdiyeh Displays Her Grace and Skill

Asked to show how she fought the Khan’s men, Gurdiyeh arms in mail and Roman helm and rides a display of spear-work in the garden before twelve hundred women. Shirin warns that she may be nursing vengeance for Bahram. Khosrow laughs and sets her over the women of his bower.

E6.48.10
Gurdiyeh neared the Shah and asked a TurkFor jowshan, Roman helm, for battle’s work.
E6.48.32
Gurdiyeh heard with joy; the taunts that stungWere silenced, and reproach had lost its tongue.

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

All 9 sections that name Gurdiyeh