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Character · The Shahnameh · Volume III

Kulunقلون

gho-LOON

A poor, aged Turk of Makatura's kin, whom Kharrad Barzin sends to stab Bahram Chubin.

In the poem
First at E6.36, Kharrad’s Mission to the Khan; last at E6.38, The Khan’s Vengeance for Bahram
Named
12 times, in 3 sections
Main stories
E6 Khosrow Parviz (12)

In the poem’s own words

The 3 sections that name Kulun most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Kulun. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.
E6.36

Kharrad’s Mission to the Khan

Kharrad Barzin goes as envoy and wins the Khan’s favor with wise talk, but cannot shake his oath. Turning to the women’s quarters, he recruits a steward, befriends the despised old Turk Kulun, and earns the queen’s gratitude by curing her daughter’s fever.

  • E6.36.61
    There lived an aged Turk, Kulun by name,Whom other Turks held low in scorn and shame.
  • E6.36.63
    Makatura had been of Kulun’s blood,So hatred for Chubin surged in a flood.
  • E6.36.65
    Kharrad invited Kulun, bade him sitIn honor’s place, as for a noble fit.
Kulun named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
E6.37

Bahram Falls by Kharrad’s Design

Kharrad arms Kulun with a knife and the Khan’s seal, stolen in clay by the queen. At Marv, on the unlucky Bahram day, Kulun stabs Bahram and keeps silent under torture. Bahram counsels his sister, bequeaths his army to Yalan-sina, repents, and dies.

  • E6.37.8
    Troubled, he sent for Kulun as his guest,And seated him in honor, richly dressed.
  • E6.37.34
    To Kharrad, old Kulun made this reply:“What further guide do I require, and why?
  • E6.37.46
    The scribe gave thanks and took that clay-pressed sign,And gave it Kulun for their dark design.
Kulun named 8 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
E6.38

The Khan’s Vengeance for Bahram

News of the murder reaches the Khan, who mourns, burns Kulun’s children and their whole quarter, hunts Kharrad in vain, and drags his own queen out by the hair and strips her of her wealth. He puts all Chin into blue mourning.

  • E6.38.8
    Kulun had in Turan two children, bredAmong close kin who shared their roof and bread.
Kulun 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.
E6Khosrow Parviz12

More in the Glossary and the index of characters.