Character · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II

Piltanپیلتن

peel-TAN

‘Elephant-bodied’: an epithet of Rostam.

In the poem: First at B8.5, The Birth of Sohrab; last at C2.10, Bijan Is Put in Bonds
Named: 18 times, in 16 sections (including 14 where the name may belong to another figure of the same name)
Main stories: B9 The Story of Siavash (8); B8 The Tragedy of Rostam & Sohrab (4); B13 Mount Hamavan and the Kamus Campaign (4)

In the poem’s own words

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

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.

B8.5.13
Your father is great Rostam, battle-tried,The Piltan whose renown spreads far and wide.

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

B8.11

Sohrab Takes the White Fortress

At dawn Sohrab finds the fortress empty: its chiefs escaped in the night by a secret tunnel. He searches in vain for Gordafarid, with whom he has fallen in love. Kavus reads Gazhdaham’s letter to his chiefs, who urge him to send Giv for Rostam.

B8.11.23
Tell Piltan to come swiftly to the field,The army’s pillar and its strongest shield.”

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

B8.16

Sohrab Questions Hajir on Iran’s Chiefs

From a hilltop Sohrab makes the captive Hajir name the Iranian chiefs by their tents and banners. Hajir names Kavus, Tus, Gudarz, Giv, Fariborz and Guraza, but calls the giant under the dragon banner an unknown ally from Chin, and resolves to die rather than betray Rostam.

B8.16.112
You seek to break Piltan upon the field;He is no easy man to force to yield.

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

B8.19

Rostam and Sohrab Leave the Field

Each hero returns to his camp. Sohrab boasts to Houman, and Giv tells Rostam how Sohrab routed Tus. Rostam tells Kavus he could not unseat the youth, and Kavus prays for him. Rostam tells Zavareh that if he dies the army must go home.

B8.19.34
No champion there could rise to match his might;Save Piltan, none stood equal in the fight.

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

B9.3

The Birth of Siavash

Siavash is born, lovelier than any mortal child, but the astrologers see a troubled star. Rostam asks to raise him and takes him to Zabulistan, where he teaches him riding, archery, justice and command, then sends him back to his father in splendor.

B9.3.27
Now let my father judge me when we meet,And see Piltan’s instruction made complete.”

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

B9.4

Siavash Arrives from Zabulistan

Tus, Giv and Rostam escort Siavash to court, where Kavus embraces him, thanks God and holds seven days of feasting. After testing his son for seven years, the Shah gives him a crown, a charter and the rule of Khorshan, now called Mawarannahr.

B9.4.3
The chiefs rode forth in ceremonial array,Tus on one side, Piltan across the way.

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

B9.16

Siavash Leads the Army

Kavus equips twelve thousand horsemen and twelve thousand foot under the Kaviani banner and parts from Siavash in tears. After a month in Zabulistan, Siavash and Rostam march by Herat to Balkh, defeat the forces of Garsivaz and take the city.

B9.16.40
They heard: “A young Shah comes from Iran’s side,And Rostam Piltan marching as his guide.”
B9.16.43
Its captain is the Piltan, fierce and proud,One hand on khanjar, one upon his shroud.

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

B13.15

Khosrow Learns of His Army’s Plight

News of the defeat reaches Khosrow, who summons Rostam, praises his past deeds and begs his help. Rostam agrees at once. The Shah opens his treasury and orders thirty thousand men, with Fariborz leading the van.

B13.15.7
He called the Piltan Rostam to his hall,And summoned with him those who heard his call.
B13.15.24
That Rostam Piltan may reach this land,By Yazdan’s power and at my command.

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

All 16 sections that name Piltan