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Character · The Shahnameh · Volume II

Ilyasالیاس

el-YAHS

Son of Mehras, ruler of Khazar, defeated by Goshtasb for Caesar.

In the poem
First at C5.14, Caesar Demands Tribute from Ilyas; last at C5.17, Zarir Bears Word to Caesar
Named
16 times, in 4 sections
Main stories
C5 Lohrasp (16)

In the poem’s own words

The 4 sections that name Ilyas most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Ilyas. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.
C5.14

Caesar Demands Tribute from Ilyas

Caesar demands tribute from Ilyas of Khazar, threatening him with Farrokhzad, and Ilyas answers with contempt. Murin and Ahran predict that Goshtasb will be beaten. Goshtasb promises to bring Ilyas in by his belt, and warns Caesar not to trust his two sons-in-law in a battle.

  • C5.14.2
    Ilyas, Mehras’ warrior son, held sway,And Caesar wrote to him in this fierce way;
  • C5.14.7
    Ilyas read the letter; bitter gallSeemed mixed with ink as he replied to all:
  • C5.14.13
    When Murin and Ahran heard his reply,They heard Ilyas’s challenge, proud and high.
Ilyas named 11 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C5.15

Goshtasb Battles Ilyas

The armies meet. Goshtasb rides out, takes an arrow through the hand, then drives his lance through Ilyas’s jowshan, hauls him from the saddle and hands him to Caesar alive. He breaks the Khazars, and returns to a crown and a city scattering treasure.

  • C5.15.8
    Ilyas told his men, “Now I can seeWhy Caesar dares demand his tax from me.
  • C5.15.10
    When brave Goshtasb beheld Ilyas draw near,He said, “The hour to prove my strength is here.”
  • C5.15.12
    Ilyas loosed an arrow from his stand;Its point struck home and gashed Goshtasb’s hand.
Ilyas named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C5.16

Caesar Demands Iran’s Tribute

Caesar sends the sage Kalus to demand tribute from Iran. Lohrasp receives him with honor and feasts him, then asks what has made Rum so bold. Kalus describes the rider who broke Khazar; Lohrasp hears Zarir’s face in the description, and sends back a promise of war.

  • C5.16.39
    Ilyas, who ruled the kingdom of Khazar,Was full of farr, a warrior famed afar.
Ilyas named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C5.17

Zarir Bears Word to Caesar

Lohrasp sends Zarir to Rum with the crown, the throne and Kaveh’s banner, secretly meaning to abdicate but instructed to speak only of war. Zarir musters the sons and grandsons of the old houses, camps at Halab, and delivers a defiance that leaves Caesar promising battle.

  • C5.17.36
    Iran is not Khazar, nor am I oneLike conquered Ilyas, whose power is done.”
Ilyas named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

Where the name appears

Named mentions by book, from the Universe Registry, the index behind this site. Titles and epithets are not counted.
C5Lohrasp16

More in the Glossary and the index of characters.