Character · The Shahnameh · Volume III

Kisraکسری

kes-RAH

The name given at birth to Qobad's son, the future Anooshirvan.

In the poem: First at D12.5, Qobad Returns and Reascends the Throne; last at E1.8, The Khan Proposes Alliance by Marriage
Named: 22 times, in 6 sections
Main stories: D12 Qobad and the Mazdakite Revolution (19); D13 Anooshirvan and the Road to the End-time (2); E1 The Story of Mahbud and Other Matters (1)

In the poem’s own words

The 6 sections that name Kisra most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Kisra. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.

D12.5

Qobad Returns and Reascends the Throne

Qobad reaches the village to find a son born, and names him Kisra. The nobles come out with the boy Jamasp to beg pardon; Qobad forgives them and retakes the throne. He rewards Rizmehr, campaigns in Rum, founds cities, and opens canals.

D12.5.4
Qobad, on hearing, entered full of cheer;They named the newborn Kisra, bright and dear.
D12.5.26
Thus matters fared until young Kisra grew,A bold young prince whom all the kingdom knew.

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

D12.7

Anooshirvan Overthrows Mazdak’s Faith

Mazdak demands that Kisra join his faith; the prince asks five months and gathers sages. At the appointed debate a Mobad demolishes the doctrine, Qobad renounces it, and Mazdak with three thousand followers is handed to Kisra, who plants them head down in a garden and hangs their leader.

D12.7.9
Know this: Kisra rejects the faith we teach;Shall such defiance stand beyond our reach?
D12.7.18
Then Mazdak took Prince Kisra’s hand; surpriseFilled Shah Qobad, who watched with wondering eyes.
D12.7.20
Qobad said, smiling, “Why should you declareSuch concern for the faith Kisra may bear?”

Kisra named 14 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

D12.8

Anooshirvan Is Named Qobad’s Successor

Qobad, feeling death near, writes his testament on silk, leaving crown and throne to Kisra, and entrusts it to a Mobad. He dies at eighty and is entombed with crown and golden throne. The will is read to the assembled chiefs, and Kisra is crowned Anooshirvan.

D12.8.7
I give Kisra the honored throne and crown;May Fortune, after me, guard his renown.
D12.8.25
They set the heir upon the throne of state,And Kisra took the kingdom, crowned and great.
D12.8.32
Now Qobad’s story ends; I turn the page,And tell of Kisra in the coming age.

Kisra named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

D13.3

Anooshirvan’s Decree of Justice

The Shah divides the empire into four regions, then replaces the old share of the harvest with a land tax assessed by survey and paid in three installments, with relief for ruined crops and exemptions. Three ledgers record it. His decree to the collectors is read out.

D13.3.17
When Kisra took the throne, he set the rateBy land assessment, ending tithes of state.

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

D13.10

Caesar Answers Anooshirvan

Caesar reads the letter, pales with anger, and dictates a reply: no Roman ever paid tribute to the kings of Iran, he has crown and troops of his own, and Iskandar’s conquests prove whose sword was greater. He demands tribute himself and dismisses the envoy.

D13.10.20
He gave no spoken answer to be heard,Nor spoke of Kisra with a bitter word.

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

E1.8

The Khan Proposes Alliance by Marriage

Shaken by what his envoys report, the Khan resolves to bind the Shah by kinship and sends three nobles with a silk letter offering a daughter. Anooshirvan accepts on one condition: his own sage must view the women and satisfy himself of the girl’s descent.