Character · The Shahnameh · Volume III

Mehrakمهرک

meh-RAK

Son of Nushzad, of Kayanian descent, who rebels against Ardeshir from Jahram.

In the poem: First at D6.14, Mehrak of Jahram Sacks the Palace of Ardeshir; last at E3.3, Anooshirvan’s Wise Replies
Named: 14 times, in 6 sections
Main stories: D6 The Ashkanian Dynasty (7); D7 The Early Sasanians (5); D12 Qobad and the Mazdakite Revolution (1)
Plates: Vol III: III

Genealogical plate: The Early Sasanians — Volume III, Plate III: The Early Sasanians. Tap to open the genealogies.

In the poem’s own words

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

D6.14

Mehrak of Jahram Sacks the Palace of Ardeshir

While Ardeshir is pinned against the sea, Mehrak sacks his capital and gives the treasure away to his soldiers. As the Shah sits down to eat, an arrow buries itself in the roast lamb, carrying a taunt from the fortress two farsang away.

D6.14.1
In Jahram lived Mehrak, Nushzad’s son,Whose line from Kayanian kings had run.
D6.14.8
He called the chiefs and spoke of Mehrak’s raid,And told at length what havoc he had made.
D6.14.10
Much have I drunk from fortune’s bitter cup,Yet never dreamed that Mehrak would rise up.”

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

D6.15

Ardeshir Discovers the Truth about the Worm

In flight, Ardeshir is sheltered by two young men who tell him the Worm is Ahriman’s creature and cannot be beaten by force. He kills Mehrak, leaves Shahrgeer in command, enters the fortress as a merchant, drinks the keepers senseless, and feeds the Worm molten metal.

D6.15.45
He rested, gave supplies to everyone,Then marched on Mehrak, Nushzad’s faithless son.
D6.15.46
Since Mehrak dared not venture out to fight,The world grew narrow for him, dark as night.
D6.15.47
When Shah Ardeshir drew near Jahram’s height,The faithless Mehrak hid himself from sight.

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

D7.4

Ardeshir Writes to Kayd of Hind

Never free of war, Ardeshir sends an envoy to the Indian sage Kayd. Kayd reads the stars and answers that peace will come only when Ardeshir’s line is joined with Mehrak’s. Enraged, Ardeshir orders a hunt for Mehrak’s one surviving daughter, who is hidden in a village.

D7.4.22
If Ardeshir’s line joins with Mehrak’s own,The son of Nushzad, peace shall bless his throne.
D7.4.30
He answered, “God forbid that I should seeThe offspring of that Mehrak joined to me.
D7.4.33
Mehrak has but one daughter left, they say;No one has seen where she has hid away.

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

D7.5

Shapur and the Daughter of Mehrak

Hunting, Shapur stops at a village where a girl offers to draw sweet water for his horse. When a servant cannot raise the bucket she had raised alone, Shapur guesses her descent. She admits she is Mehrak’s daughter; he promises her safety and marries her by the fire rite.

D7.5.1
Now hear of Mehrak’s daughter in my song,And sword-bearing Shapur, bold and strong.
D7.5.41
“I am the daughter of Mehrak,” she said,“Nushzad’s own son, whose child stands here in dread.

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

D12.2

The Fall of Sofrye

Sofrye retires to Shiraz and rules Pars as a king without a crown. Courtiers persuade Qobad that he is a rival, and Shapur of Rey is sent to arrest him. Sofrye submits with dignity; Qobad imprisons him and, on the Mobadan’s advice, has him killed.

D12.2.34
Shapur, who traced to Mehrak his descent,Smiled as he read the words that Qobad sent.

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

E3.3

Anooshirvan’s Wise Replies

Reports reach the Shah and he rules on each: a hardened sinner hanged, a careless captain dismissed, Roman captives freed, extorted taxes returned to Marv and Balkh, pensions fixed for a dead warrior’s children. Ferdowsi closes by thanking Mahmud for noticing his poem.