New Naqqaliشاهنامه
Character · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

Hushangهوشنگ

hoo-SHANG

Grandson of Kioumars; the king who discovered fire and founded Sadeh.

In the poem
First at A1.3, Hushang and Kioumars Fight the Black Div; last at E8.6, The Deaths of Shirin and Shiruyeh
Named
25 times, in 20 sections
Main stories
A2 The First Kings: Hushang (5); A1 The First Kings: Kioumars (3); C4 The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow (3)
Parents
Siamak
Children
Tahmuras
Plates
Vol I: II
Genealogical plate: The Pishdadian Kings
Volume I, Plate II: The Pishdadian Kings. Tap to open the genealogies.

In the poem’s own words

The 8 sections that name Hushang most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Hushang. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.
A1.3

Hushang and Kioumars Fight the Black Div

Siamak’s son Hushang leads an army of peris, birds and beasts against the Black Div, kills him and avenges his father. Kioumars, his vengeance won, dies.

  • A1.3.1
    The slain Siamak left a son behind,A prince named Hushang, wise in heart and mind.
  • A1.3.9
    Wild beasts and tame, the birds and paris came,With Hushang at their head, intent on fame.
  • A1.3.14
    Then Hushang sprang upon the Div in rage,And made the world grow narrow as a cage.
Hushang named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
A2.1

The Rule of Hushang and His Civilizing Arts

Hushang rules the Seven Climes with justice for forty years. He draws iron from stone, forges the first tools, digs canals and teaches men to sow and reap.

  • A2.1.1
    Hushang, a sovereign, prudent, just, and wise,Assumed the crown beneath the circling skies.
  • A2.1.14
    Through Hushang fire was struck from hidden rock,A secret gift that none could yet unlock.
  • A2.1.15
    Its radiance spread throughout the world entire;Now hear how Hushang first discovered fire.
Hushang named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
A2.2

The Founding of the Feast of Sadeh

Hushang hurls a stone at a black serpent on the mountain. He misses, and the stone strikes sparks from the rock: fire is discovered. He founds the feast of Sadeh, and goes on to tame beasts and teach men to make clothing from furs.

  • A2.2.9
    Then Hushang praised that radiance newly known,And marked it as a grace from God alone.
  • A2.2.14
    Thus Sadeh kept Hushang’s remembrance clear;May kings like him arise from year to year.
Hushang named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
A3.1

The Reign of Tahmuras

Tahmuras spins wool, weaves cloth, and tames horses, hawks and fowl. Guided by his vizier Shidasp, he binds Ahriman and rides him like a horse, defeats the rebel Divs, and spares them in return for the art of writing in some thirty scripts.

  • A3.1.1
    Hushang begot a son of noble frame,Tahmuras, the Div-binder, was his name.
Hushang named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B1.1

Nohzar Accedes to the Throne

Nohzar takes Manuchehr’s throne but soon turns greedy and harsh, and the realm falls into turmoil. The nobles offer the crown to Sahm, who refuses it, rebukes them, and comes to court to set the young Shah back on the path of justice.

  • B1.1.50
    He spoke of Fereydoon and Hushang’s reign,Of kings whose justice left the world no stain;
Hushang named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B9.7

Siavash Visits Sudabeh

Led by the Hirbad, Siavash enters the women’s hall, where Sudabeh embraces him far too long. He escapes to his sisters, then praises the hall to his father. Kavus proposes a royal marriage, and Siavash agrees but asks that Sudabeh have no part in it.

  • B9.7.38
    Jamshid, Fereydoon, Hushang of oldYou pass in sword and army, wealth and gold.”
Hushang named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C3.49

Bijan Returns with Gostaham

The lookout reports three burdened horses. Bijan brings in the dead brothers and the dying Gostaham, who asks only to see the Shah. Khosrow binds on him an amulet inherited from the first kings; after two weeks he recovers. The Shah then summons his armies against Afrasiab.

  • C3.49.22
    From Hushang, Tahmuras, and Jamshid’s reign,The Shah received a charm that healed all pain.
Hushang named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C4.52

Kay Khosrow Answers Zal

Khosrow praises Zal and Rostam at length, then explains himself: he has prayed to be taken from the world before power corrupts him, and Soroush has granted it. He casts off realm, crown and belt. Zal, angered, tells the chiefs no Kayanian king ever spoke so.

  • C4.52.30
    Hushang and Fereydoon, upright and great,Would never thus abandon crown and state.
Hushang named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
All 20 sections that name Hushang
  1. A1.3 Hushang and Kioumars Fight the Black Div
  2. A2.1 The Rule of Hushang and His Civilizing Arts
  3. A2.2 The Founding of the Feast of Sadeh
  4. A3.1 The Reign of Tahmuras
  5. B1.1 Nohzar Accedes to the Throne
  6. B9.7 Siavash Visits Sudabeh
  7. C3.49 Bijan Returns with Gostaham
  8. C4.52 Kay Khosrow Answers Zal
  9. C4.55 Kay Khosrow Gives His Last Counsel
  10. C4.60 Kay Khosrow Names Lohrasp Shah
  11. C8.6 Esfandiyar Sends Bahman to Rostam
  12. C8.15 Rostam Defends His Race and Deeds
  13. C8.27 Rostam Shoots Esfandiyar in the Eyes
  14. D10.10 Bahram Finds the Treasures of Jamshid
  15. D10.13 Bahram Weds the Daughters of Noble Barzin
  16. D13.19 The Death of Nushzad
  17. E6.53 Caesar Seeks the Cross of Christ
  18. E6.54 Khosrow Answers with Gifts
  19. E8.2 Khosrow Parviz Answers Shiruyeh
  20. E8.6 The Deaths of Shirin and Shiruyeh

Family

Parents
Siamak
Children
Tahmuras
Volume I · Plate IIThe Pishdadian KingsKioumars to Fereydoon · A1–A6

Where the name appears

Named mentions by book, from the Universe Registry, the index behind this site. Titles and epithets are not counted.
A1The First Kings: Kioumars3A2The First Kings: Hushang5A3The First Kings: Tahmuras1B1The Crisis after Manuchehr1B9The Story of Siavash1C3The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs1C4The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow3C8The Tragedy of Rostam and Esfandiyar3D10The Bahram Goor Cycle: Justice, Foreign Adventures, and End of a Reign2D13Anooshirvan and the Road to the End-time1E6Khosrow Parviz2E8Shiruyeh’s Coup and the End of the Great Reign2

More in the Glossary and the index of characters.