Character · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II

Lahhakلهاک

lah-HAHK

Son of Viseh, brother of Piran; he flees after Piran's fall and is killed with Farshidvard.

In the poem: First at B9.55, Siavash Falls by Gurvi’s Hand; last at C4.6, Afrasiab Sends Envoys to Khosrow
Named: 42 times, in 22 sections
Main stories: C3 The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs (30); B13 Mount Hamavan and the Kamus Campaign (4); C4 The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow (4)
Parents: Viseh
Plates: Vol II: IV

Genealogical plate: The House of Viseh — Volume II, Plate IV: The House of Viseh. Tap to open the genealogies.

In the poem’s own words

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

B13.12

The Turanians Besiege Hamavan

The Iranians march for three days without food and occupy Hamavan. Piran urges caution until reinforcements come, but Houman insists on pursuit. Scouts find the Iranians entrenched on the mountain, and Houman taunts them before summoning Piran’s whole army.

B13.12.43
Piran set forth, his army at his back,And ordered Lahhak: “Take the swiftest track.
B13.12.46
Lahhak rode swiftly through the dark of night,Nor thought of food or sleep throughout his flight.

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

C3.24

Iran and Turan Fight a Pitched Battle

The two armies fight from dawn until dark. Piran sends Lahhak and Farshidvard to the flanks; Gudarz answers through Giv, who commits Zangeh and Gorgin against them and then charges the Turanian center with Guraza, Gostaham, Bijan and Hajir.

C3.24.13
When Piran saw the battle’s fierce array,He called Lahhak and Farshidvard to say:
C3.24.18
He sent Lahhak toward the mountain height,With all his gathered horsemen armed for fight.
C3.24.23
Lahhak and Farshidvard raised dust that spread,As from their ambush paths they forward sped.

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

C3.25

Giv’s Horse Falters before Piran

Giv breaks through to Piran, but his horse balks and his arrows leave the chief unharmed. Bijan reminds him that only Gudarz can kill Piran. Piran flees to Lahhak and Farshidvard, who fight Giv, Guraza, Bijan and Gostaham to a standstill until nightfall.

C3.25.30
With yellow face he sought his chieftains’ aid,Lahhak and Farshidvard, both sore dismayed,
C3.25.38
Lahhak and Farshidvard, their strength combined,Rode out and challenged Giv with single mind.
C3.25.39
Brave Lahhak charged at Giv; the blow he dealtDrove his spear hard against the warrior’s belt.

Lahhak named 6 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C3.41

Lahhak and Farshidvard Bewail Piran

Turan’s watchman reports the disaster. Lahhak and Farshidvard climb to the lookout, see Piran and the ten dead, and mourn, but remember his last order. The leaderless army debates quarter, flight and battle; the brothers refuse to submit and choose the desert road.

C3.41.2
He came to Lahhak, Farshidvard beside,With grief at heart and sighs he could not hide.
C3.41.14
Lahhak and Farshidvard climbed to the height,To reach the lookout with the field in sight.

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

C3.42

Lahhak and Farshidvard Return to Turan

The brothers ride for the desert with ten horsemen, break through an Iranian outpost at the cost of seven Iranian lives, and escape. Gudarz calls for a pursuer; the exhausted army says nothing, until Gostaham, who had been left guarding the camp, volunteers.

C3.42.2
Lahhak and Farshidvard now understood:No fight for name or vengeance would do good.
C3.42.19
Gudarz heard this and knew the two who fledWere Lahhak and Farshidvard, and he said:
C3.42.23
Pursue Lahhak and Farshidvard in flight;Raise dust from both beneath your sword’s fierce might.”

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

C3.44

Bijan Follows Gostaham

Giv blocks Bijan’s road and pleads with him; Bijan refuses, invoking Ladan and his debt to Gostaham, and Giv finally blesses him. Beyond the river the two Turks stop in a green meadow, hunt, eat and sleep, with Farshidvard keeping watch.

C3.44.35
When Farshidvard and grim Lahhak had passedThe river, they went speeding like the blast.
C3.44.43
But grimly fortune held the pair oppressed;Lahhak slept; Farshidvard watched his brother’s rest.

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

C3.45

The Deaths of Lahhak and Farshidvard

A horse’s neigh betrays the brothers. Gostaham cuts down Farshidvard, then beheads Lahhak after an exchange of arrows that wounds them both. Badly hurt, he reaches a spring, drinks, and lies through the night praying that Bijan will be moved to come and find him.

C3.45.4
Then Lahhak’s charger answered with a neigh,As if gone mad, and gave their place away.
C3.45.5
To wake Lahhak, then Farshidvard rushed in,And warned him that the onslaught would begin.
C3.45.24
When Lahhak saw his brother’s lifeless face,And knew his strife had ended in that place,

Lahhak named 5 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C3.49

Bijan Returns with Gostaham

The lookout reports three burdened horses. Bijan brings in the dead brothers and the dying Gostaham, who asks only to see the Shah. Khosrow binds on him an amulet inherited from the first kings; after two weeks he recovers. The Shah then summons his armies against Afrasiab.

C3.49.6
Lahhak and Farshidvard, in blood and clay,Hung head-down on the steeds along the way.
C3.49.11
Then Bijan told of Gostaham’s great pain,Of Farshidvard and fierce Lahhak slain.

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

All 22 sections that name Lahhak