New Naqqaliشاهنامه
Character · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II

Houmanهومان

hoo-MAHN

Piran's brother, a leading Turanian champion, slain by Bijan.

In the poem
First at B8.7, Afrasiab Sends Envoys to Sohrab; last at C4.9, Khosrow Slays Shideh
Named
154 times, in 58 sections
Main stories
C3 The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs (60); B13 Mount Hamavan and the Kamus Campaign (41); B14 The Great Battle with the Khan of Chin (20)
Parents
Viseh
Plates
Vol I: VI, Vol II: IV
Genealogical plate: The House of Tur
Volume I, Plate VI: The House of Tur. Tap to open the genealogies.

In the poem’s own words

The 8 sections that name Houman most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Houman. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.
B8.20

Sohrab Casts Rostam Down

Sohrab senses that his opponent is Rostam, but Houman denies it. At dawn Sohrab offers peace and asks his name; Rostam refuses. Sohrab throws him, but Rostam invents a rule of two falls and is let go. Rostam prays for his old strength.

  • B8.20.17
    Then Houman said: “I faced him in the field;I heard what Mazandaran was forced to yield.
  • B8.20.66
    After a time came Houman to his tent,And questioned him on how the combat went.
  • B8.20.67
    Sohrab described the struggle from the start;Then Houman cried with terror in his heart:
Houman named 5 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B10.9

Afrasiab Flees before Rostam

Afrasiab breaks the Iranian right. Rostam charges him, kills his horse and nearly seizes him, but Houman strikes Rostam with a gorz and Afrasiab escapes. The Turanians are routed, and Tus teases Rostam about the blow.

  • B10.9.25
    But Houman saw and raised his gorz on high,Then charged at Rostam with a battle cry.
  • B10.9.30
    Then Rostam drove swift Rakhsh at Houman’s rear,His anger hot, his heavy spear held near.
  • B10.9.31
    He chased Houman, furious in the fight,But could not reach him in his headlong flight.
Houman named 6 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B13.8

Tus and Houman Meet in Combat

Houman and Tus exchange insults and offers of peace, and Giv angrily urges an end to talk. The two commanders fight with gorz, sword and bow. Tus kills Houman’s horse, but night separates them before either wins.

  • B13.8.1
    Then Houman mounted on his eagle-steed,And spurred toward the field where warriors bleed.
  • B13.8.10
    Houman replied: “Do not grow proud in speech;Such arrogance should stand beyond your reach.
  • B13.8.42
    Houman replied: “Through right or wrong or death,When kings command, we go with loyal breath.
Houman named 11 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B13.12

The Turanians Besiege Hamavan

The Iranians march for three days without food and occupy Hamavan. Piran urges caution until reinforcements come, but Houman insists on pursuit. Scouts find the Iranians entrenched on the mountain, and Houman taunts them before summoning Piran’s whole army.

  • B13.12.18
    He said to Houman: “Do not now delay;Their riders, slain or wounded, cannot stay.”
  • B13.12.32
    Then Houman said: “Enough, O chief of might;Let neither grief nor fear restrain the fight.
  • B13.12.57
    Houman chose thirty thousand men to ride,With shields and scimitars at either side.
Houman named 6 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C3.9

Houman Challenges Rohham

Houman rides out at dawn with an interpreter, passes the Iranian outposts, and challenges Rohham on the left wing. Rohham replies that no Iranian may fight without Gudarz’s leave and sends him to the commander; Houman mocks him and rides on.

  • C3.9.1
    When Houman reached his camp, his heart was sore;He ground his teeth like a raging boar.
  • C3.9.9
    “I do not know,” he said, “what Houman gainsBy riding wrathful over hostile plains.
  • C3.9.11
    Houman sought Gudarz, Keshvad’s son, that day;The army’s watchmen met him on his way.
Houman named 9 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C3.11

Houman Challenges Gudarz

Houman comes to Gudarz himself and mocks him for hiding behind a mountain. Gudarz refuses to be drawn, reasoning that a victory would only keep Piran in his ambush. Houman rides off, shoots four of the guard, and boasts on the heights while Gudarz burns with shame.

  • C3.11.1
    From Fariborz, Houman turned away,Like a malignant Div intent to slay.
  • C3.11.3
    He shouted, “Binder of the Div, give ear;Now hear the charge that Houman brings you here.
  • C3.11.22
    When Houman heard what old Gudarz replied,He raged like a lion on the other side.
Houman named 11 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C3.12

News of Houman Reaches Bijan

Told of Houman’s boasting, Bijan arms and demands Siavash’s armor. He tells Giv that Gudarz has lost his nerve, is refused, appeals to Gudarz himself, and wins leave to fight. Giv protests and is overruled; Bijan rides for the field.

  • C3.12.1
    Bijan was told, “Houman crossed the field,And came where old Gudarz stood armed and steeled.
  • C3.12.42
    Behold, my hands are bathed in blood; I standPrepared to fight with Houman, hand to hand.
  • C3.12.51
    For Houman’s heart is evil, steeped in guile;Like Ahriman, he fights with purpose vile.
Houman named 6 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C3.15

Bijan Slays Houman

Exhausted, the two wrestle again; Bijan throws Houman, beheads him and gives thanks. He hides in Houman’s khaftan, rides his horse and carries his banner to safety, then reverses the flag, and both armies learn the truth at once.

  • C3.15.1
    Houman, crow-dark, his face like smoky night,Advanced, worn down, to meet the coming fight.
  • C3.15.5
    Though Houman was the stronger of the two,When fortune turns, what can mere strength then do?
  • C3.15.17
    May Houman’s spirit serve my own at will,His body feed the lions on the hill.”
Houman named 12 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
All 58 sections that name Houman
  1. B8.7 Afrasiab Sends Envoys to Sohrab
  2. B8.8 Sohrab Comes to the White Fortress
  3. B8.14 Kavus and Rostam Take the Field
  4. B8.15 Rostam Slays Zhendeh Razm
  5. B8.19 Rostam and Sohrab Leave the Field
  6. B8.20 Sohrab Casts Rostam Down
  7. B8.21 The Tragedy of Sohrab
  8. B8.23 Rostam’s Lament for Sohrab
  9. B8.24 Rostam Returns to Zabulistan
  10. B9.33 Siavash Displays His Prowess before Afrasiab
  11. B10.9 Afrasiab Flees before Rostam
  12. B10.27 Giv Confronts the Toll-Man
  13. B10.28 Kay Khosrow Crosses the Jihun
  14. B12.22 The Turanians Defeat the Iranians
  15. B13.7 Tus Slays Arzhang
  16. B13.8 Tus and Houman Meet in Combat
  17. B13.9 The Second Battle of Iran and Turan
  18. B13.10 The Turanians Use Sorcery
  19. B13.12 The Turanians Besiege Hamavan
  20. B13.13 Piran’s March to Mount Hamavan
  21. B13.14 The Iranians Make a Night-Attack, Tus, Giv, Rohham Are Surrounded but Are Saved
  22. B13.17 Tus Sees Siavash in a Dream
  23. B13.18 Afrasiab Sends Aid to Piran
  24. B13.21 Gudarz Hears of Rostam’s Coming
  25. B13.24 Piran Consults the Khan of Chin
  26. B13.25 Giv and Tus Battle Kamus
  27. B13.27 Iran and Turan Set Their Battle Lines
  28. B13.28 Rostam Battles Ashkabus
  29. B13.29 Piran Reckons with Rostam’s Coming
  30. B14.1 The Khan Learns Kamus Is Slain
  31. B14.3 Houman Bears the Khan’s Message
  32. B14.4 Piran Consults Houman and the Khan
  33. B14.5 Piran Comes before Rostam
  34. B14.6 Turan’s Counsel before Battle
  35. B14.9 Rostam Rebukes Piran
  36. B14.14 The Khan Is Taken Prisoner
  37. B14.16 Rostam Divides the Spoils
  38. B14.21 Afrasiab Hears of Rostam’s Coming
  39. B14.24 Rostam Battles Puladvand
  40. C2.26 Afrasiab Comes against Rostam
  41. C3.6 The Armies Are Set in Array
  42. C3.8 Houman Seeks Leave for Battle
  43. C3.9 Houman Challenges Rohham
  44. C3.10 Houman Challenges Fariborz
  45. C3.11 Houman Challenges Gudarz
  46. C3.12 News of Houman Reaches Bijan
  47. C3.13 Giv Arms Bijan with Siavash’s Jowshan
  48. C3.14 Houman and Bijan Meet in Combat
  49. C3.15 Bijan Slays Houman
  50. C3.16 Nastihan Is Slain in a Night-Attack
  51. C3.17 Gudarz Appeals to Khosrow
  52. C3.18 Khosrow Sends His Reply
  53. C3.21 Gudarz Replies to Piran
  54. C3.22 Piran Seeks Afrasiab’s Aid
  55. C3.26 The Battle of Eleven Rukhs Is Arranged
  56. C3.43 Gostaham Pursues Lahhak and Farshidvard
  57. C4.5 Shideh Appears before His Father
  58. C4.9 Khosrow Slays Shideh

Family

Parents
Viseh
Siblings
Barman, Farshidvard (Viseh), Lahhak, Pilsam, Piran
Volume I · Plate VIThe House of Turthe kings and captains of Turan · A6–B14Volume II · Plate IVThe House of Visehthe Battle of the Rukhs · C3

On the maps

B8.7–B8.18The Fatal Convergence: Sohrab's March to the White CastleB13.9–B13.26The Siege of Mount Hamavan and the Gathering of the WorldB14.1–B14.15The Grand Coalition: The Great Battle with the Khan of ChinC3.6–C3.39The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs

Where the name appears

Named mentions by book, from the Universe Registry, the index behind this site. Titles and epithets are not counted.
B8The Tragedy of Rostam & Sohrab18B9The Story of Siavash1B10Vengeance for Siavash and the Retrieval of Kay Khosrow8B12Forood and the Snowstorm Campaign3B13Mount Hamavan and the Kamus Campaign41B14The Great Battle with the Khan of Chin20C2The Tale of Bijan and Manijeh1C3The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs60C4The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow2

More in the Glossary and the index of characters.