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Character · The Shahnameh · Volume III

Mehran Setadمهران ستاد

meh-RAHN se-TAHD

A wise elder, chief of the envoys who report to Anooshirvan on the Khan's court, whom the Shah then sends to the Khan to bring back his bride.

In the poem
First at E1.7, Anooshirvan Replies to the Khan; last at E6.13, The Hermit’s Prophecy to Khosrow
Named
11 times, in 7 sections
Main stories
E1 The Story of Mahbud and Other Matters (6); E5 Hormizd, Son of Anooshirvan (3); E6 Khosrow Parviz (2)

In the poem’s own words

The 7 sections that name Mehran Setad most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Mehran Setad. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.
E1.7

Anooshirvan Replies to the Khan

The scribe writes the Shah’s answer on satin in Pahlavi: God rules all, the Heytalians fell into the trap they set, the Khan’s boasting is a stain, and since he prefers the feast there will be no war. The envoys return and report the Shah’s greatness.

  • E1.7.40
    What wealth and armies lie in his command?”Mehran Setad addressed the royal band;
Mehran Setad named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
E1.9

Anooshirvan Sends for the Khan’s Daughter

The Shah writes back and sends Mehran Setad to choose. The Khan and his queen try to pass off daughters born of slaves; Mehran picks the plainly dressed girl on the teak throne, the queen’s only child. Star-readers confirm that the match will give Iran a famous king.

  • E1.9.17
    He chose Mehran Setad, an elder just,A wise old chief in whom the Shah could trust.
  • E1.9.29
    Mehran Setad heard all the Shah had said,And blessings on the crown and throne he spread.
  • E1.9.44
    Then wise Mehran Setad came near the seat,And gave the Khan the royal scroll complete.
Mehran Setad named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
E1.11

Anooshirvan Marches to Tisfoon

The Khan yields Sughd, Chakh and Samarkand and withdraws. The eastern lords come with gifts and recite the history of their sufferings. The Shah prays, gives alms, halts at the fire of Azargashasp on the way home, and sends bride and treasure on to Tisfoon.

  • E1.11.69
    Mehran Setad accompanied the queen,And served as guardian of the moving scene.
  • E1.11.107
    Two hundred maidens graced the bride’s array,While wise Mehran Setad still led the way.
Mehran Setad named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
E5.5

Hormizd Calls for Bahram Chubin

Nastooh brings his aged father Mehran Setad, who tells how he chose Hormizd’s Chinese mother and how a Mobad then foretold a dark, lean horseman called Chubin who would break the Turk. He dies as he finishes. Bahram, son of Goshnasp, is found at Ardabil.

  • E5.5.3
    My father, wise Mehran Setad, has stillHis ancient wit, though age has bent his will.
  • E5.5.57
    “Mehran Setad preserved this ancient tale,And told it now before his breath could fail.
Mehran Setad named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
E5.6

Bahram Chubin Takes Command

Bahram reaches court, argues against buying peace, and is given command. He enrolls twelve thousand armored men, all aged forty, defends both choices from the poem’s own history, and receives from the Shah’s hand the dragon banner of Rostam.

  • E5.6.4
    The Shah at first sight favored him and knewThe signs Mehran Setad had named were true.
Mehran Setad named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
E6.5

Khosrow and Bahram Parley

Across the Nahravan the king and the rebel abuse and argue with each other at length. Khosrow offers him command of Iran; Bahram offers a gibbet. They dispute whether kingship comes by blood, merit or conquest, trading precedents from Ardeshir to Rostam, until Khosrow laughs and turns back.

  • E6.5.235
    Your name was hidden; you were poor and small,Until Mehran Setad reached the Shah’s hall.
Mehran Setad named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
E6.13

The Hermit’s Prophecy to Khosrow

Crossing the desert, Khosrow is fed by an Arab caravan chief and by a merchant, and a storm breaches the walls of Karsan for him. At Warigh a hermit knows him at sight and foretells Caesar’s help, a daughter’s hand, victory within a year, and betrayal by Gostaham.

  • E6.13.44
    “What name did your own father give to you?”“Mehran Setad,” he answered, speaking true.
Mehran Setad 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.
E1The Story of Mahbud and Other Matters6E5Hormizd, Son of Anooshirvan3E6Khosrow Parviz2

More in the Glossary and the index of characters.