Character · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

Kavehکاوه

kah-VEH

The blacksmith who raised his apron as a banner against Zahhak.

In the poem: First at A5.5, Zahhak and Kaveh the Blacksmith; last at D13.11, Anooshirvan Marches against Caesar
Named: 39 times, in 33 sections
Main stories: C4 The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow (7); A6 The First Kings: Fereydoon (5); C3 The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs (5)
Children: Gharan, Qobad
Plates: Vol I: VIII

Genealogical plate: The Champions of Iran — Volume I, Plate VIII: The Champions of Iran. Tap to open the genealogies.

In the poem’s own words

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

A5.5

Zahhak and Kaveh the Blacksmith

Zahhak makes his nobles sign a testament to his justice. Kaveh the blacksmith, whose sons have been taken for the serpents, bursts in, tears up the document and raises his leather apron on a spear as a banner. Fereydoon adorns it as the Kaviani standard and has the ox-headed gorz forged.

A5.5.18
“My name is Kaveh! I demand my right;I come in grief, compelled by bitter plight.
A5.5.40
But when he urged him sign the scroll with all,Kaveh read through and raised a furious call:
A5.5.56
When Kaveh left, the market roared aloud,And men surged in to form a swelling crowd.

Kaveh named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

A6.15

The Birth of Manuchehr

Iraj’s daughter bears a son. Fereydoon, blinded by weeping, regains his sight when he holds the child, whom he names Manuchehr. He raises him in splendor, gathers arms and treasure, and calls the champions of Iran together for vengeance.

A6.15.28
There Gharan of the Kaveh line was seen,With Shirviyeh, the lion fierce and keen.

Kaveh named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

A6.18

Fereydoon Answers His Sons

Fereydoon rejects the plea: the murderers will meet Manuchehr only on the battlefield, and no treasure can buy a son’s blood. The envoy reports the splendor of Iran’s court, and Salm and Tur, alarmed, gather their armies and march on Iran.

A6.18.11
His gorz in hand, Kaveh’s banner spread,Horse-hooves will dye the earth a purple red.
A6.18.68
Among the smiths stood Kaveh, famed and tried;His battle-tested son stood at his side.

Kaveh named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

A6.19

Manuchehr Marches for Vengeance

The enemy crosses the Jihun, and Fereydoon sends Manuchehr out with Gharan in the van. The vast army marches from Tammisheh with its elephants. Tur taunts Manuchehr as a king born of a daughter, and Manuchehr vows to take his head.

A6.19.29
Their purple swords flashed brightly through the sky;Kaveh’s standard streamed before them high.
A6.19.49
When purple swords beside Kaveh’s banner rise,The sight will strike the courage from your eyes.

Kaveh named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B1.7

Nohzar Is Taken by Afrasiab

Nohzar rides after Gharan but is overtaken and captured with twelve hundred nobles. Afrasiab orders a search for Gharan, learns that Gharan has killed Barman, and sends Barman’s grieving father, Viseh, after him.

B1.7.24
When Gharan, Kaveh’s son, comes armed to fight,The leopard checks before his spear in fright.

Kaveh named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B3.1

Kay Qobad Takes the Throne

Kay Qobad is crowned and at once leads the army against Afrasiab. The Iranian battle order is set out with Rostam in the van, the Kaviani banner flies, and Gharan cuts through the Turanian ranks and kills Shamasas.

B3.1.13
The Kaveh standard streamed before the fight,And dyed the world red, yellow, violet-bright.

Kaveh named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B8.16

Sohrab Questions Hajir on Iran’s Chiefs

From a hilltop Sohrab makes the captive Hajir name the Iranian chiefs by their tents and banners. Hajir names Kavus, Tus, Gudarz, Giv, Fariborz and Guraza, but calls the giant under the dragon banner an unknown ally from Chin, and resolves to die rather than betray Rostam.

B8.16.35
A throne is raised where Kaveh’s flag appears;A giant warrior sits among his peers.

Kaveh named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B9.16

Siavash Leads the Army

Kavus equips twelve thousand horsemen and twelve thousand foot under the Kaviani banner and parts from Siavash in tears. After a month in Zabulistan, Siavash and Rostam march by Herat to Balkh, defeat the forces of Garsivaz and take the city.

B9.16.12
Five Mobadan raised Kaveh’s sign on high,Its ancient splendor mounting toward the sky.
B9.16.15
The banner of Kaveh mounted toward the sky,And shone among them like the moon on high.

Kaveh named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

All 33 sections that name Kaveh