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Character · The Shahnameh · Volume II

Katayunکتایون

ka-tah-YOON

The Caesar's eldest daughter, who chooses Goshtasb as husband; mother of Esfandiyar.

In the poem
First at C5.7, Katayun, Daughter of Caesar; last at C8.29, Bishutan Brings Esfandiyar Home
Named
23 times, in 11 sections
Main stories
C5 Lohrasp (19); C8 The Tragedy of Rostam and Esfandiyar (3); C6 Goshtasb, Zardosht, and the War with Arjasp (1)
Spouses
Goshtasb
Children
Esfandiyar, Bishutan, Homahyi, Bih Afrid, Homahyi (Goshtasb)
Plates
Vol II: VI
Genealogical plate: The House of Lohrasp
Volume II, Plate VI: The House of Lohrasp. Tap to open the genealogies.

In the poem’s own words

The 8 sections that name Katayun most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Katayun. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.
C5.7

Katayun, Daughter of Caesar

Caesar’s custom lets his daughters choose husbands from an assembly of nobles. Katayun dreams of a sorrowful stranger and gives him her flowers; next day she finds him in a corner of the hall and crowns him. Caesar orders both beheaded, and the bishop talks him out of it.

  • C5.7.9
    The eldest was the princess Katayun,Bright-hearted, wise, and lovely as the moon.
  • C5.7.18
    Then Katayun came with her maiden band,With sixty girls, a bouquet in her hand.
  • C5.7.29
    The chamber-servants entered, swift and fleet,Then Katayun came with her rosy suite.
Katayun named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C5.8

Goshtasb Weds Katayun

Caesar marries the pair and sends them off with nothing. Katayun refuses to regret her choice; they shelter with the village-chief and live on one of her rubies, sold for six thousand dinars. Goshtasb hunts daily, sharing his game with Hishvi and with his host.

  • C5.8.4
    He spoke to noble Katayun in pain:“You have been sheltered from all want and strain.
  • C5.8.8
    But Katayun replied, “O doubting heart,Do not rage at the sky or fortune’s part.
  • C5.8.14
    Now Katayun had gems in ample store,With ornaments and jewels more and more.
Katayun named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C5.9

Murin’s Suit for Caesar’s Daughter

Murin of Rum asks for a daughter and is told to kill the wolf of Faskun’s forest. His horoscope says an Iranian will do three great deeds, so he goes to Hishvi, who brings him to Goshtasb. Goshtasb agrees, and asks for Salm’s sword and a horse.

  • C5.9.5
    Katayun and that man of low estateHave made me close to such a match the gate.
  • C5.9.25
    He knew of Katayun, the royal maid,And of the bond with Goshtasb she had made.
Katayun named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C5.10

Goshtasb Slays the Wolf

Goshtasb rides into the forest alone, prays, empties his quiver into the beast, loses his horse to its horn, and splits its head with Salm’s sword on foot. He takes the tusks. Murin reports the kill as his own, and Caesar gives him the princess.

  • C5.10.53
    He turned for home; when he approached the door,Katayun came to greet him as before.
  • C5.10.61
    Then Katayun asked him, “What troubles you,That terror shakes your heart the long night through?”
  • C5.10.68
    Katayun answered, “Speak no foolish word,Nor rashly act upon what you have stirred.
Katayun named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C5.12

Goshtasb Slays the Dragon

Alone on Sakila, Goshtasb is drawn in by the dragon’s breath, feeds it the toothed blade, and strikes off its head. He takes two teeth, prays in the dust, and speaks of his father. Ahran carts the body to court, and Rum credits him with the kill.

  • C5.12.37
    Then glad at heart, he left that place behind,And sought Katayun with a joyful mind.
Katayun named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C5.13

Goshtasb’s Prowess before Caesar

On the riding-ground Goshtasb outplays every Roman at polo and archery. Caesar asks who he is; Goshtasb tells him about the wolf and the dragon, Hishvi produces the teeth, and Caesar begs his daughter’s pardon, crowns the stranger, and orders Rum to obey Farrokhzad.

  • C5.13.5
    At length came Katayun, with queenly grace,And found Goshtasb with sorrow on his face.
  • C5.13.34
    He treated Katayun with bitter shameBecause she chose a stranger with no name.
  • C5.13.42
    Where is my dear Katayun? Tell me now.She has just cause to blame me, I avow.”
Katayun named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C5.18

Goshtasb Receives the Kingship

Goshtasb rides to his brother’s camp and is given the crown; Iran’s chiefs hail him Shah. Caesar comes to make peace, learns who his son-in-law is, and sends Katayun a treasure train. Goshtasb remits the tribute, rides home, and Lohrasp crowns him.

  • C5.18.44
    He sent to Katayun abundant gold,A crown, five rubies, treasures manifold,
  • C5.18.54
    Then Katayun arrived, and from the courtThe royal tabira rang its report.
Katayun named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C6.2

Lohrasp Withdraws to Balkh

Lohrasp gives Goshtasb the crown and retires to the Nowbahar at Balkh, where he prays for thirty years in coarse wool. Goshtasb rules justly, and Katayun bears him Esfandiyar and Bishutan. Every king pays tribute except Arjasp of Turan, who refuses.

  • C6.2.18
    At length Nahid, illustrious Caesar’s child,Whom Goshtasb named Katayun, bright and mild,
Katayun named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
All 11 sections that name Katayun
  1. C5.7 Katayun, Daughter of Caesar
  2. C5.8 Goshtasb Weds Katayun
  3. C5.9 Murin’s Suit for Caesar’s Daughter
  4. C5.10 Goshtasb Slays the Wolf
  5. C5.12 Goshtasb Slays the Dragon
  6. C5.13 Goshtasb’s Prowess before Caesar
  7. C5.18 Goshtasb Receives the Kingship
  8. C6.2 Lohrasp Withdraws to Balkh
  9. C8.1 Esfandiyar Presses His Claim
  10. C8.4 Katayun Counsels Esfandiyar
  11. C8.29 Bishutan Brings Esfandiyar Home

Family

Spouses
Goshtasb
Children
Esfandiyar, Bishutan, Homahyi, Bih Afrid, Homahyi (Goshtasb)
Volume II · Plate VIThe House of LohraspLohrasp to Esfandiyar’s sons · C4–C8

Where the name appears

Named mentions by book, from the Universe Registry, the index behind this site. Titles and epithets are not counted.
C5Lohrasp19C6Goshtasb, Zardosht, and the War with Arjasp1C8The Tragedy of Rostam and Esfandiyar3

More in the Glossary and the index of characters.