Character · The Shahnameh · Volume III

Mahwiماهوی

mah-WEE

Mahwi Suri, marzban of Marv, who betrays Yazdegard, has him killed, and seizes the throne.

In the poem: First at E10.5, Yazdegard Withdraws to Khorasan; last at E10.14, The Death of Mahwi of Sur
Named: 53 times, in 9 sections
Main stories: E10 Yazdegard (53)
Plates: Vol III: IX

Genealogical plate: The Last Reigns and the Fall — Volume III, Plate IX: The Last Reigns and the Fall. Tap to open the genealogies.

In the poem’s own words

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

E10.5

Yazdegard Withdraws to Khorasan

Farrokhzad urges the Shah to rebuild his strength in Tabaristan. Yazdegard refuses to abandon his people, then chooses Khorasan, counting on the Turks, a marriage into Faghfoor’s house, and Mahwi of Marv, whom he raised from nothing. Farrokhzad warns that base stock never changes.

E10.5.32
There Mahwi guards the frontier with his sword,With armed retainers and a golden hoard.

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

E10.8

Mahwi Meets Yazdegard at Tus

Mahwi meets the Shah on the road with every show of reverence, kissing the ground. Farrokhzad entrusts the king to him and rides for Rey. As the days pass Mahwi’s loyalty ebbs, the shepherd’s son begins to want the throne, and he withdraws, feigning sickness.

E10.8.3
Then Mahwi Suri heard, and came with mightTo meet the Shah, with spears and armor bright.
E10.8.17
Mahwi replied, “O Pahlevan of worth,The Shah is eye and soul to me on earth.
E10.8.20
The circling sky revolved from day to day,And love from Mahwi’s heart had ebbed away.

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

E10.9

Yazdegard Hides in the Mill

Mahwi brings Turkish troops from Samarkand against his own Shah and flees the field, leaving him ringed. Yazdegard fights, escapes, and hides in a mill beside the Zark. The miller offers barley bread and cress; the king asks for barsom, and the errand betrays him.

E10.9.3
Ill-starred Mahwi, grown bold in evil will,Wrote him a letter, bent on darker ill:
E10.9.8
Bijan considered what the letter meant,And saw Mahwi on winning empire bent.
E10.9.10
If I lead forth my troops to aid Mahwi,That act will bring destruction back to me.”

Mahwi named 12 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E10.10

The Plot against Yazdegard

Mahwi orders the miller to kill his guest. The Mobadan and nobles denounce him in turn — Radwi, Ormozd son of Kharrad, Shahruy, and Mehr-e-Nush, who recites seven murdered kings and the vengeance each brought. Mahwi listens until nightfall, then asks his son, who tells him to strike.

E10.10.4
When Mahwi pondered, in his heart he knew:“This man is Yazdegard; the tale is true.”
E10.10.7
The chiefs and nobles heard Mahwi’s command,And wrath arose through all that gathered band.
E10.10.29
Then Mehr-e-Nush arose in bitter pain,And spoke to Mahwi in a forceful strain:

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

E10.11

The Death of Yazdegard

The miller comes back weeping and stabs Yazdegard among the barley loaves. Mahwi’s riders strip the body and throw it into the Zark. Christian monks draw it from the water, build a garden tomb, and mourn the king in a long sequence of speeches.

E10.11.4
Then shameless Mahwi heard his son’s intent,And to the miller turned, on murder bent.
E10.11.9
When from Mahwi’s court gate he went away,His eyes were charged with tears and dark dismay.
E10.11.10
Mahwi, his heart full, sent a mounted band,Swift as the smoke, to follow, spears in hand.

Mahwi named 9 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E10.12

Mahwi of Sur Takes the Throne

Ferdowsi breaks off to curse a hailstorm that has ruined his own year, then returns. Mahwi kills the mourners and plunders the land, invents a story that the dying Shah gave him crown and signet, and seizes Khorasan; his captains know the tale is false.

E10.12.10
One came and told Mahwi, “The Shah now liesConcealed beneath the dust from mortal eyes.
E10.12.14
Then luckless Mahwi cried, “Was this our way?Was Iran kin to Rum before today?”
E10.12.16
They slew them, and they plundered all the land;Such was the wish that guided Mahwi’s hand.

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

E10.13

Bijan Marches against Mahwi

Bijan of Samarkand hears that Mahwi has taken the throne. Barsam tells how Mahwi used his troops at Marv, abandoned his own Shah in the field and then murdered him. Told that the royal line is finished, Bijan waits for Mahwi’s army to cross and meets it near Paykand.

E10.13.1
In time the news to mighty Bijan came:“Mahwi has seized the throne and royal name.
E10.13.4
“Who gave the crown to him?” then Bijan said;The speaker told how Mahwi ruled instead.
E10.13.7
Mahwi had promised you, by word and sign,His golden throne and armlet, gems ashine.

Mahwi named 9 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E10.14

The Death of Mahwi of Sur

Barsam runs Mahwi down on the desert near Farab and brings him in alive. Bijan has his hand, then his feet, ears and nose cut off, leaves him bound on the hot sand, and burns him with his three sons. The age of Umar begins.

E10.14.2
Mahwi perceived it, raised a fearful cry,Then fled the army’s center, bent to fly.
E10.14.3
Bijan looked forth, beheld his flag, and knewThat Mahwi from the open fight withdrew.
E10.14.5
Do not let Mahwi shirk the coming fightAnd flee toward Jihun in headlong flight.