Character · The Shahnameh · Volume III

Hormizd (son of Anooshirvan)هرمزد

hor-MEZD

Son of Anooshirvan by the Khan of Chin's daughter and father of Khosrow Parviz; blinded and killed after Bahram Chubin's revolt.

In the poem: First at E1.9, Anooshirvan Sends for the Khan’s Daughter; last at E5.28, Hormizd Refuses Audience and Falls
Named: 63 times, in 19 sections
Main stories: E5 Hormizd, Son of Anooshirvan (61); E1 The Story of Mahbud and Other Matters (2)
Parents: Anooshirvan, The Khan of Chin’s daughter
Spouses: Sister of Bandvi and Gostaham
Children: Khosrow Parviz
Plates: Vol III: I, Vol III: VI, Vol III: VIII

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

In the poem’s own words

The 8 sections that name Hormizd (son of Anooshirvan) most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Hormizd (son of Anooshirvan). Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.

E5.1

Hormizd’s Accession and Address

An autumn prologue on the ripe apple and the vanished spring. Ferdowsi names his informant, Makh of Herat. Hormizd takes the throne and promises justice, bounty and protection for the poor; the rich hear him with dread, the sages and the poor with gladness.

E5.1.9
Though Autumn pales, I still will praise its hue,And crown it like Hormizd with splendor new.
E5.1.13
I asked what record he had kept in thoughtOf Hormizd’s reign and what remembrance brought.
E5.1.15
When Hormizd sat upon the royal throne,He praised the God whose power no peer has known.

Hormizd (son of Anooshirvan) named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E5.2

Hormizd’s Slaughter of the Ministers

Hormizd turns on his father’s men. He starves and kills Izad Gashasp, poisons the High Mobad Zardosht for visiting him, traps Simah Barzin through Bahram Azarmihan and kills both. A sealed scroll of his father’s foretells his own blinding and death.

E5.2.1
Hormizd ruled well until his throne felt sure,And every aim he cherished seemed secure.
E5.2.10
Hormizd desired to cast the three aside,For fear that they might rise against his pride.
E5.2.43
Say to Hormizd, ‘Though you may spurn my claim,Remember Anooshirvan and all his fame.

Hormizd (son of Anooshirvan) named 20 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E5.3

Hormizd Renounces Tyranny

Remorseful, Hormizd keeps a seasonal round of Istakhr, Isfahan, Tisfoon and the Arvand plain, and proclaims harsh penalties for trespass on crops. His own son Khosrow Parviz’s horse offends; the Shah has its ears and tail docked and the damage paid from the prince’s treasure.

E5.3.28
Khosrow then paid the owner what was due,And thus the Shah Hormizd’s decree went through.
E5.3.29
Soon after, Hormizd hunted with his train,And all took pleasure on the open plain.
E5.3.37
So justice spared not even Hormizd’s own;The prince and captain’s son bowed to the throne.

Hormizd (son of Anooshirvan) named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E5.4

The Realm Rises against Hormizd

In his tenth year enemies come from every side: Saveh of the Turks from Herat with elephants, Caesar from Rum, Khazars into Armenia, Arab horsemen on the Euphrates. With his counselors dead, Hormizd buys off Rum, beats the Khazars, and is left facing Saveh.

E5.4.7
King Saveh sent Hormizd a written scroll:“Call up your powers; let caution rule your soul.
E5.4.10
When Hormizd read that letter, he turned pale,So vast the force described in threat and tale.
E5.4.20
They ruined crops and land with ruthless hand,Because Hormizd had taxed their native land.

Hormizd (son of Anooshirvan) named 6 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E5.12

Bahram Chubin Announces His Victory

Bahram beheads the Turkish chiefs, sets their heads and banners on mules, and sends Saveh’s head to Hormizd on a spear. The Shah gives thanks, spends the treasure on the poor, the fires and the roads, remits four years’ tribute, and grants Bahram the eastern lands.

E5.12.36
Meanwhile Bahram’s letter reached the throneOf Shah Hormizd, to make his triumph known.
E5.12.37
Hormizd sat with his nobles in the hall,And spoke his anxious thoughts before them all:
E5.12.40
He passed the gate and cried before the crowd:“May Shah Hormizd rejoice, serene and proud!

Hormizd (son of Anooshirvan) named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E5.17

Parmudeh Appears before Hormizd

Parmudeh arrives with the treasure. King and Khan each watch to see who will dismount first, and the chamberlain settles it by taking the rein. Hormizd lodges him royally and feasts him. A punning remark about Chubin’s wooden music leaves the Shah suspicious.

E5.17.4
He paused to see if they would quit their steeds,While Parmudeh watched Hormizd’s looks and deeds.
E5.17.6
Lest either monarch should concede the right,King Hormizd took a courser sleek and light:
E5.17.18
When Khan and nobles gathered at the board,They sat before King Hormizd, Iran’s lord.

Hormizd (son of Anooshirvan) named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

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.

E5.24.128
Wise Anooshirvan, aged and glory-crowned,Found youth renewed when Hormizd stood renowned.
E5.24.141
Hormizd will pass, and soon your brother’s handWill hold the throne and rule the royal land.
E5.24.143
If Hormizd claims the crown and royal gift,Why send the cotton and the distaff shift?

Hormizd (son of Anooshirvan) named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E5.26

Bahram’s Letter and Khosrow’s Flight

Bahram’s letter renounces Hormizd and declares for Khosrow, hoping the father will kill the son. Hormizd, seeing letter and coins, orders Khosrow poisoned. Warned by a chamberlain, Khosrow flees to Azar Abadagan, where the frontier lords swear to him; Hormizd imprisons his kin.

E5.26.17
When Hormizd took the letter in his hand,He paled to read what Bahram Chubin planned.
E5.26.24
Hormizd replied, “That upstart soon shall fall;He shall not see my blow approach at all.”
E5.26.56
To learn what Hormizd said, and to reportWhat fresh designs were forming at his court.