Character · The Shahnameh · Volume III

Maryamمریم

mar-YAM

Caesar's daughter, given in marriage to Khosrow.

In the poem: First at E6.21, Caesar Sends Aid and a Bride; last at E7.4, Shirin’s Crime and Shiruyeh’s Fall
Named: 14 times, in 7 sections
Main stories: E6 Khosrow Parviz (12); E7 The Story of Khosrow Parviz and Shirin (2)
Spouses: Khosrow Parviz
Children: Shiruyeh
Plates: Vol III: VIII

Genealogical plate: The House of Khosrow Parviz — Volume III, Plate VIII: The House of Khosrow Parviz. Tap to open the genealogies.

In the poem’s own words

The 7 sections that name Maryam most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Maryam. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.

E6.21

Caesar Sends Aid and a Bride

Caesar sends seventy thousand troops under his brother Niyatus and gives his daughter Maryam to Khosrow with an enormous dowry. He rides three stages with the train, charges Niyatus with her safety, and turns back weeping. Khosrow greets bride and legions with joy.

E6.21.4
He had a daughter, Maryam by name,Wise, grave, resolved, and high in royal fame.
E6.21.17
He gave them their instructions, then apartAddressed fair Maryam with a father’s heart.
E6.21.32
He bade fair Maryam come and spoke at length,With tender counsel, fatherly in strength:

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

E6.25

Soroush Saves Khosrow from Bahram

Bahram’s elephant is shot from under him and he fights on foot. Khosrow rides out with fourteen chosen men, who scatter; chased into a blind cave, he prays and is carried to safety by Soroush. Bahram, seeing it, despairs of his fortune, and Khosrow renews the battle.

E6.25.136
And Maryam tore her cheeks in grief and dreadFor her crowned husband, whom she feared was dead.
E6.25.140
The Roman ranks rejoiced to see him stand,And Maryam’s grief released its bitter hand.

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

E6.29

Maryam Reconciles Niyatus and Bandvi

At the victory feast Khosrow, dressed in Roman robes, murmurs the Zoroastrian grace while Bandvi holds the barsom. Niyatus throws down his bread in protest, Bandvi strikes him, and the Romans arm. Maryam goes to their camp and reconciles them before the quarrel becomes a battle.

E6.29.26
Then Maryam spoke to Khosrow: “Let me go;I will abate this quarrel and its woe.
E6.29.29
The king sent Bandvi with ten riders bold,And Maryam, prudent, resolute, controlled.

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

E6.52

The Ill-Omened Birth of Shiruyeh

In the sixth year of the reign Maryam bears a son, named Qobad in a whisper and Shiruyeh aloud. The astrologers find ruin in his chart: through him the earth will suffer. Khosrow seals the horoscope, hides a week, then writes cheerfully to Caesar.

E6.52.32
He bade him write: “Great Caesar, joy is spread;For Maryam now has borne a prince,” it read.

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

E6.53

Caesar Seeks the Cross of Christ

Caesar keeps seven days’ festival for his grandson and sends ten caravans of treasure with the envoy Khanagi. His letter praises Khosrow’s line, recalls the old feud of Salm and Tur as settled by the marriage, and asks one gift: the Cross of Christ from the Iranian treasury.

E6.53.12
To Maryam he sent a peacock, castIn gold, with jewels at its side amassed.

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

E6.54

Khosrow Answers with Gifts

Khosrow thanks Caesar, defends his own faith, and refuses the Cross: God has no son, the wood is rotten, and sending it would make Iran call him a Christian. He offers any other gift, says he fears Shiruyeh, reports Maryam’s devotion, and loads the embassy with treasure.

E6.54.29
For Maryam’s sake, they would declare that IHad turned to Christ, a bishop in their eye.

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

E7.4

Shirin’s Crime and Shiruyeh’s Fall

Shirin poisons Maryam unseen and a year later receives her chambers. At sixteen Shiruyeh neglects his lessons for savage toys, and his tutor takes fright. By the twenty-third year of the reign the Shah shuts Shiruyeh and more than three thousand of his followers in a comfortable prison.

E7.4.4
At last she gave her poison, darkly planned,And Maryam died beneath her hidden hand.
E7.4.6
A year had passed since Maryam died; his fairGold chambers then he gave to Shirin’s care.

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