Character · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

Narimanنریمان

na-ree-MAHN

Father of Sahm, grandfather of Zal.

In the poem: First at A6.15, The Birth of Manuchehr; last at E10.10, The Plot against Yazdegard
Named: 30 times, in 25 sections
Main stories: A9 The Birth and Early Feats of Rostam; Manuchehr’s Closing Counsel (5); B8 The Tragedy of Rostam & Sohrab (4); A6 The First Kings: Fereydoon (3)
Parents: Garshasp, Pahlevan
Children: Sahm
Plates: Vol I: VII

Genealogical plate: The House of Sahm — Volume I, Plate VII: The House of Sahm. Tap to open the genealogies.

In the poem’s own words

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

A6.15

The Birth of Manuchehr

Iraj’s daughter bears a son. Fereydoon, blinded by weeping, regains his sight when he holds the child, whom he names Manuchehr. He raises him in splendor, gathers arms and treasure, and calls the champions of Iran together for vengeance.

A6.15.29
There Gashasb stood, the champion armed with steel,And Sahm, Nariman’s son, of fearless zeal.

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

A6.18

Fereydoon Answers His Sons

Fereydoon rejects the plea: the murderers will meet Manuchehr only on the battlefield, and no treasure can buy a son’s blood. The envoy reports the splendor of Iran’s court, and Salm and Tur, alarmed, gather their armies and march on Iran.

A6.18.14
There Sahm, son of Nariman, will stand;And Sarv of Yemen guide the war he planned.

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

A6.26

Fereydoon Receives the Head of Salm

Manuchehr reports his victory and returns with the treasure of the Alanons fortress. Fereydoon comes out on foot to greet him, entrusts him to Sahm, prays to be released from life, and crowns Manuchehr with his own hand.

A6.26.33
Back at his seat, the Shah sent out a callFor Sahm, son of Nariman, to the hall.

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

A7.1

The Crowning of Manuchehr

After a week’s mourning Manuchehr is crowned. He proclaims a reign of justice and faith, and war on the wicked. Sahm pledges to take the burden of battle on himself, recalling his line of champions from Garshasp to Nariman.

A7.1.39
From Garshasp down to Nariman of fame,Sepahbods, khanjar-wielders, bore that name.

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

A9.3

Rostam Slays the White Elephant

Woken by cries that the white elephant is loose, the boy Rostam breaks through the gate and kills it with one blow of Sahm’s gorz. Zal then sends him to avenge Nariman, killed besieging the impregnable fortress on Mount Sepand, by entering it disguised as a salt merchant.

A9.3.40
But act before your rising fame is known;Avenge Nariman’s blood, which none atone.
A9.3.50
Nariman rode there at Fereydoon’s command,And set his forces round that guarded land.
A9.3.54
At last a rock hurled down from that great wallStruck Nariman, and there they saw him fall.

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

A9.5

Rostam Proudly Writes His Father

Rostam reports his victory and the fortress’s immense treasure to Zal. Zal replies with delight, sends thousands of camels for the spoil and orders the fort burned. Rostam sets Mount Sepand ablaze and returns to a joyful welcome from his parents.

A9.5.23
You brightened Nariman’s spirit with your fire,And burned his enemies beneath your ire.
A9.5.26
Load choicest goods upon the camel train,Then burn the fort to answer Nariman’s pain.”

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

B8.5

The Birth of Sohrab

Sohrab is born and grows at astonishing speed. At ten he demands to know his father. Tahmineh names Rostam, shows his gifts and warns her son to hide the secret from Afrasiab. Sohrab resolves to dethrone Kavus, crown Rostam and then take Turan.

B8.5.2
He seemed the very form that Rostam bore,Like Sahm or Nariman in days before.
B8.5.14
From Dastan, Sahm, and Nariman you spring,Renowned stock fit to stand beside a king.

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

C9.2

Rostam Comes to Kabul for His Brother

A singing girl in Zal’s household bears Shaghad, whose horoscope foretells the ruin of Sahm’s line. Reared in Kabul and married to its king’s daughter, he resents the tribute Rostam still claims, and with the king he plots a feigned quarrel and a field of hidden pits.

C9.2.12
He will destroy the house of Sahm one day,And bring the line of Nariman’s decay.
C9.2.60
No root in Sahm, Nariman’s son, have you;No brother’s bond with Rostam links you two.

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

All 25 sections that name Nariman