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Character · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, III

Kioumarsکیومرث

kee-yoo-MARS

The first king of the world.

In the poem
First at A1.1, The Greatness of Kioumars and the Envy of Ahriman; last at E6.53, Caesar Seeks the Cross of Christ
Named
17 times, in 12 sections
Main stories
A1 The First Kings: Kioumars (8); E6 Khosrow Parviz (5); D6 The Ashkanian Dynasty (1)
Children
Siamak
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 Kioumars most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Kioumars. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.
A1.1

The Greatness of Kioumars and the Envy of Ahriman

Kioumars, the first king, rules from the mountains in leopard skins, and all creatures bow before him. Only Ahriman envies him, and his son plots against Kioumars’s own son, Siamak, until Soroush comes to warn the king.

  • A1.1.6
    Declares that Kioumars, before the rest,First wore the Shah’s high crown, supreme and blest.
  • A1.1.9
    Kioumars ruled, he dwelled upon the heights,Of mountain slopes that caught a crown of lights.
  • A1.1.28
    But Kioumars knew nothing of the snare,Nor knew another sought his royal chair.
Kioumars named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
A1.2

Siamak and the Black Div

Siamak goes out bare-bodied to fight the Black Div, son of Ahriman, and is torn apart. Kioumars and all creation mourn him for a year, until Soroush commands vengeance.

  • A1.2.8
    Kioumars heard, the world grew black as night;He quit his throne and raged against his plight.
Kioumars named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
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.

  • A1.3.2
    Beside Kioumars, honored in his place,He served as counselor, all wisdom and grace.
  • A1.3.3
    To Kioumars he was his father’s sign,Reared at his breast, a cherished living line.
  • A1.3.10
    Before the ranks the vengeful grandson led;Behind the army Kioumars Shah then sped.
Kioumars named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
D6.1

Praise for Mahmud

Ferdowsi praises Mahmud as the age’s greatest king, blesses his house and his commander Nasr, and reports a decree remitting a year’s taxes. He promises that this book will outlast every age, then lists the great dynasties that have vanished.

  • D6.1.24
    Through this, his stock shall be like Kioumars’ own,And all shall bless the lineage thus made known.
Kioumars named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
D10.13

Bahram Weds the Daughters of Noble Barzin

Bahram rides to the sea with elephants, hawks and cheetahs. His black falcon Toghri carries off a crane; following its bells he finds Barzin’s garden and three harping daughters, drinks, and asks for all three as brides. Later he transfixes a mating pair of Gur-e-Khars with one shaft.

  • D10.13.97
    By Kioumars and Hushang’s holy way,They are but dust beneath your feet today.
Kioumars named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
D13.19

The Death of Nushzad

Ram Barzin marches from Madain; Nushzad arrays the Christians and the men of Rum under Shammas. Old Pirooz pleads with him in vain. An arrow strikes the prince; dying, he asks for Christian burial and sends word to his mother, and Ram Barzin weeps over him.

  • D13.19.20
    You have forsworn the faith of ancient days,Kioumars, Hushang, Tahmuras, and their ways.
Kioumars named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
E3.3

Anooshirvan’s Wise Replies

Reports reach the Shah and he rules on each: a hardened sinner hanged, a careless captain dismissed, Roman captives freed, extorted taxes returned to Marv and Balkh, pensions fixed for a dead warrior’s children. Ferdowsi closes by thanking Mahmud for noticing his poem.

  • E3.3.156
    From Kioumars, the first of kings, till now,No crown has pressed so wise and just a brow.”
Kioumars named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
E6.14

Caesar’s Horseman Comes to Khosrow

A Roman horseman brings Caesar’s welcome and a promise of arms. Khosrow briefs his envoys for the Roman court — to win at polo and archery, to write few words for philosophers to weigh — and sends them. Kharrad delivers the letter standing, and Caesar weeps.

  • E6.14.50
    From earth He gave the living creatures birth,And first brought life to Kioumars on earth.
Kioumars named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
All 12 sections that name Kioumars
  1. A1.1 The Greatness of Kioumars and the Envy of Ahriman
  2. A1.2 Siamak and the Black Div
  3. A1.3 Hushang and Kioumars Fight the Black Div
  4. D6.1 Praise for Mahmud
  5. D10.13 Bahram Weds the Daughters of Noble Barzin
  6. D13.19 The Death of Nushzad
  7. E3.3 Anooshirvan’s Wise Replies
  8. E6.14 Caesar’s Horseman Comes to Khosrow
  9. E6.18 Khosrow Replies on the Alliance
  10. E6.20 Kharrad’s Counsel to Caesar
  11. E6.29 Maryam Reconciles Niyatus and Bandvi
  12. E6.53 Caesar Seeks the Cross of Christ

Family

Children
Siamak
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: Kioumars8D6The Ashkanian Dynasty1D10The Bahram Goor Cycle: Justice, Foreign Adventures, and End of a Reign1D13Anooshirvan and the Road to the End-time1E3Bozorgmehr’s Fall and Restoration1E6Khosrow Parviz5

More in the Glossary and the index of characters.