Character · The Shahnameh · Volume III

Piroozپیروز

pee-ROOZ

Son of Yazdegard, the Sasanian Shah who falls into Khoshnavaz's hidden trench fighting the Heytalians; father of Qobad and Balawsh.

In the poem: First at D8.1, Shapur, Son of Hormizd, Surnamed Zul-Aktaf; last at E10.10, The Plot against Yazdegard
Named: 73 times, in 23 sections
Main stories: D11 Short Reigns and a Crisis with Khoshnavaz (37); E9 The Years of Chaos (12); E6 Khosrow Parviz (8)
Parents: Yazdegard (son of Bahram Goor)
Children: Balawsh, Qobad, Qobad (Pirooz’s son)
Plates: Vol III: I, Vol III: V

Genealogical plate: The Sasanian Succession — Volume III, Plate I: The Sasanian Succession. Tap to open the genealogies.

In the poem’s own words

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

D11.2

The Reign of Hormizd, Son of Yazdegard

Hormizd is crowned and Pirooz, enraged, carries treasure to Faghanish of Chaghan and buys thirty thousand Heytalian troops with the promise of two frontier towns. He defeats his brother in a long war, then spares and embraces him, and Hormizd blesses his victory.

D11.2.2
Pirooz beheld him and was filled with rage,As envy darkened kingship in that age.
D11.2.5
Pirooz said, “Good friend, hear now my claim:Two sons were fit to bear the royal name.
D11.2.11
Pirooz replied, “Yes, this is just and fair;Still greater realms should fall within your care.”

Pirooz named 6 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

D11.3

The Reign of Pirooz

Pirooz named 18 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

D11.4

Balawsh

Pirooz named 12 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

D13.19

The Death of Nushzad

Ram Barzin marches from Madain; Nushzad arrays the Christians and the men of Rum under Shammas. Old Pirooz pleads with him in vain. An arrow strikes the prince; dying, he asks for Christian burial and sends word to his mother, and Ram Barzin weeps over him.

D13.19.17
A warrior jowshan-clad, Pirooz the old,Came forth and spoke his counsel, brave and bold:
D13.19.41
The warning of old Pirooz will remain,And all your counselors will speak in vain.”
D13.19.49
He answered old Pirooz in words of flame,Then veiled the air with shafts that thickly came.

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

E6.17

Khosrow Receives Caesar’s Second Letter

Caesar consults his minister and astrologers, who foretell a long reign for Khosrow. He then writes offering troops, treasure and his daughter, provided Khosrow swears to end the ancient feud, forgo Rum’s tribute and leave the Roman frontier alone. Khosrow’s Iranians welcome the peace.

E6.17.58
Long years have passed since Pirooz’s blood was shed,When Khoshnavaz stood firm and Pirooz fell dead.
E6.17.61
Khoshnavaz strove with every means to savePirooz from ruin and an early grave.
E6.17.62
But when Pirooz used force against his foe,In battle he saw nothing but black woe.

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

E9.2

Ardeshir Is Slain by Guraz’s Design

Guraz, who helped bring Khosrow Parviz down, writes from Rum denouncing the new Shah and suborns Pirooz Khosrow, the court’s minister and treasurer. At a night drinking party Pirooz clears the hall and smothers the boy king Ardeshir, whose reign has lasted six months.

E9.2.19
To Pirooz Khosrow now he sent a scroll,With altered plans to reach his darkened goal:
E9.2.27
When Pirooz Khosrow read Guraz’s scroll,He weighed that self-willed man’s intent and goal.
E9.2.33
When Pirooz Khosrow came before the throne,It seemed his head beyond the heavens shone.

Pirooz named 5 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E9.4

The Reign of Poorandokht

Poorandokht takes the throne, promising to keep the nobles together, enrich the poor and drive out the foe. She has Pirooz Khosrow bound to an unbroken colt and dragged to death, rules mildly for six months, then sickens and dies.

E9.4.7
She sought for Pirooz Khosrow; then there cameA trusty man with tidings of that name.
E9.4.8
She chose renowned men from the ranks that day;They brought Pirooz to hear what she would say.
E9.4.13
The untamed colt was led, with Pirooz bound,Into the open, on the riding-ground.

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

E10.3

Rostam and Sa’ad Exchange Letters

Rostam writes mocking Sa’ad’s poverty and cataloguing the Shah’s wealth; Sa’ad answers with the Oneness of God, the Koran and Paradise, and offers the crown for conversion. The envoy Shobae Moghireh sits in the dust, and Rostam sends back word that honorable death is better.

E10.3.35
The sealed words went to Pirooz Shapur then,A high-born lord among Iran’s great men.
E10.3.42
He spread his cloak for Pirooz, then he said:“With sword and spear as mates, our lives are led.
E10.3.44
Then Pirooz placed the letter in his hand,And spoke the words that Rostam for him planned.