Character · The Shahnameh · Volume II

Nahid (of Rum)ناهید

nah-HEED

Of Rum

In the poem: First at D3.3, Darab Fights Faylaqus and Weds His Daughter; last at D3.4, Darab Rejects His Wife, and Two Births
Named: 5 times, in 2 sections
Main stories: D3 Darab (5)
Parents: Faylaqus
Plates: Vol II: VII, Vol II: IX
Pictures: 4 panels · identity sheets

Genealogical plate: The Houses beyond Iran — Volume II, Plate VII: The Houses beyond Iran. Tap to open the genealogies.

How we draw Nahid (of Rum)

The identity sheets the illustrator works from, one for each stage of life. Tap to open full size. More in the Art section.

Nahid, identity sheet: Young woman / young mother — **Young woman / young mother**

Nahid, identity sheet: Mature to older woman — **Mature to older woman**

In the pictures

Nahid (of Rum) in 4 woodcut panels of the illustrated poem, in story order. Tap one to see it with the couplets it illustrates.

D3.3Nahid's Bridal Train Reaches Darab

D3.4Faylaqus, the Infant and the White Foal

D5.4Roshanak Arrives under Her Parasol

D5.39Mother and Roshanak at the Bier

In the poem’s own words

The 2 sections that name Nahid (of Rum) most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Nahid (of Rum). Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.

D3.3

Darab Fights Faylaqus and Weds His Daughter

Darab invades Rum. Faylaqus musters Amuriyah’s legions, loses two battles, and shuts himself in his fortress. His envoy sues for peace; Darab’s counselors praise Faylaqus’s daughter, and the king demands her along with the tribute. Nahid is sent to Pars in state.

D3.3.32
Her name is fair Nahid, renowned and bright,Who sits upon a golden throne of light.
D3.3.48
Behind Nahid came sixty maidens bright,Each with a golden cup that caught the light.

Nahid (of Rum) named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

D3.4

Darab Rejects His Wife, and Two Births

A foul breath spoils the wedding night. A healer cures Nahid with the herb eskandar, but Darab’s desire is gone and he sends her home pregnant. She bears Iskandar, named for the herb; Faylaqus claims him as his own son. Darab’s other wife bears Dara.

D3.4.24
He stroked its eyes and mane with gentle joy;The foal was of an age with Nahid’s boy.
D3.4.32
When Nahid left, Darab took as his wifeAnother bride to share his royal life.
D3.4.33
She bore a son, a prince of royal grace,Younger than Nahid’s child, of shining face.