New Naqqaliشاهنامه
Character · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II

Rohhamرهام

roh-HAHM

Son of Gudarz, an Iranian champion.

In the poem
First at B5.7, Rostam Slays the White Div; last at C4.64, Lohrasp Learns Kay Khosrow Has Vanished
Named
88 times, in 51 sections
Main stories
B13 Mount Hamavan and the Kamus Campaign (25); C3 The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs (15); B12 Forood and the Snowstorm Campaign (13)
Parents
Gudarz
Plates
Vol I: VIII, Vol II: IV, Vol II: V
Genealogical plate: The Champions of Iran
Volume I, Plate VIII: The Champions of Iran. Tap to open the genealogies.

In the poem’s own words

The 8 sections that name Rohham most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Rohham. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.
B11.8

Kay Khosrow Inspects the Army

Kay Khosrow reviews the army from a throne on an elephant. Clan after clan passes under its banner: Fariborz, Gudarz and his sons, Gostaham, Ashkash, Farhad, Guraza, Zangeh and Faramarz, whom the Shah sends to Hind with counsel. At the feast Khosrow reflects on the passing world.

  • B11.8.29
    Upon his left marched Rohham, sword in sight,And noble Giv advanced upon his right.
  • B11.8.33
    Rohham’s high banner climbed into the cloud,Its tiger emblem fierce above the crowd.
Rohham named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B12.21

Fariborz Asks Piran for a Truce

Fariborz sends Rohham to Piran to protest the night attack and offer peace. Piran blames Tus’s ravages but grants a month’s truce, after which the Iranians must leave Turan or fight. Fariborz uses the month to pay and equip the army.

  • B12.21.2
    He summoned brave Rohham before the line,“Now prove your gohar; let your name here shine.”
  • B12.21.9
    Brave Rohham, whom Prince Fariborz had sent,Rode hard, and with the letter onward went.
  • B12.21.11
    Rohham replied: “Rohham, a warrior known,Skilled, watchful, and in battle firm as stone.
Rohham named 9 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B13.9

The Second Battle of Iran and Turan

At dawn both armies deploy. Houman orders a close-quarters charge, while Tus and Gudarz, greatly outnumbered, put their trust in God. The chiefs are paired off in single combats, and Tus leads his footmen forward.

  • B13.9.36
    Rohham and Gorgin held the army’s left;The ranks stood firm, by no disorder cleft.
  • B13.9.49
    Shidush, Rohham, Giv, Gostaham drew near,With Kharrad, brave Farhad, and Barzin dear.
  • B13.9.56
    Rohham, Gudarz’s son, strode forth to fightWith Farshidvard; Shidush faced Lahhak’s might.
Rohham named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B13.10

The Turanians Use Sorcery

The sorcerer Bazoor calls down snow and bitter cold from a mountaintop, and the frozen Iranians are slaughtered. The chiefs pray, and a sage shows Rohham the sorcerer; Rohham cuts off his hand and the storm clears. Still the Iranians are routed.

  • B13.10.21
    A sage approached Rohham and showed the heightWhere magic’s source lay hidden from the fight.
  • B13.10.23
    Rohham wheeled round and left the battleground,Then climbed through drifts that covered all around.
  • B13.10.26
    Rohham approached and drew his trenchant steel,And closed upon the warlock with fearless zeal.
Rohham named 7 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B13.14

The Iranians Make a Night-Attack, Tus, Giv, Rohham Are Surrounded but Are Saved

Short of food, Gudarz urges a night attack. Tus, Giv and Rohham strike Piran’s camp and split his standard, but Houman surrounds them. Bijan and Gostaham ride to the rescue, and at dawn the Iranians withdraw to the mountain.

  • B13.14.16
    Then Tus with Giv and Rohham, chiefs of fame,Raised their heavy gorz as the battle came.
  • B13.14.35
    Then Tus said to Rohham and Giv: “Our livesAre lost unless Yazdan our strength revives,
  • B13.14.58
    Rohham and Giv, who heard Bijan’s brave voice,Became like lions and made hearts rejoice.
Rohham named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B13.28

Rostam Battles Ashkabus

Ashkabus of Kashan beats Rohham in single combat. Rostam comes out on foot, mocks him and shoots his horse, then kills him with one arrow through the chest. The Khan, seeing the huge arrow, accuses Piran of hiding the enemy’s strength.

  • B13.28.4
    Rohham heard and raised then his battle-cry,Then stormed like waves whose crests assault the sky.
  • B13.28.7
    His arrows swept like wind across the khaftan;Then Rohham raised his gorz against the man.
  • B13.28.8
    The arms of both grew weary in the fight;Rohham’s gorz could not break his helmet’s might.
Rohham named 7 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C3.33

Rohham Battles Barman

Rohham and Barman shatter their bows, then fight with spears and swords. Rohham’s spear takes Barman in the thigh and unhorses him; a second thrust goes through his back. He drags the body head-down for Siavash, binds it on the horse and claims the height.

  • C3.33.1
    Fifth, Rohham, son of Gudarz, took his placeAnd met bold Barman on the field, face to face.
  • C3.33.5
    They wheeled and turned through many a fierce exchange;Then Rohham twisted, moving into range.
  • C3.33.7
    Like dust, then Barman parted from his foe;Rohham came on to deal another blow.
Rohham named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C4.8

Kay Khosrow Battles Shideh

At dawn Shideh calls Khosrow out. The Shah arms despite his soldiers’ protest, leaves Rostam in command if he falls, and rides with Shideh to a waste in Khwarazm. They fight with lance, gorz and sword until noon, and then Shideh proposes wrestling on foot.

  • C4.8.9
    He set a golden helmet on his head,And gave Rohham the royal flag to spread.
  • C4.8.16
    No man shall seek a skirmish on the plain;Heed Gudarz’s son Rohham and hold your rein.
  • C4.8.63
    Then Rohham, standing near, addressed the crown:“Do not disgrace your birth by stepping down.
Rohham named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
All 51 sections that name Rohham
  1. B5.7 Rostam Slays the White Div
  2. B5.10 Kavus Wars with Mazandaran
  3. B8.13 Kavus’s Anger at Rostam
  4. B8.16 Sohrab Questions Hajir on Iran’s Chiefs
  5. B8.17 Sohrab Attacks Kavus’s Army
  6. B10.4 Rostam Takes Vengeance
  7. B11.3 Kay Khosrow Surveys His Kingdom
  8. B11.8 Kay Khosrow Inspects the Army
  9. B12.5 Bahram Meets Forood on the Mountain
  10. B12.12 The Death of Forood
  11. B12.13 The Death of Jarireh
  12. B12.21 Fariborz Asks Piran for a Truce
  13. B13.4 Khosrow Dispatches Tus to Turan
  14. B13.9 The Second Battle of Iran and Turan
  15. B13.10 The Turanians Use Sorcery
  16. B13.14 The Iranians Make a Night-Attack, Tus, Giv, Rohham Are Surrounded but Are Saved
  17. B13.19 The Coming of the Khan of Chin
  18. B13.21 Gudarz Hears of Rostam’s Coming
  19. B13.28 Rostam Battles Ashkabus
  20. B13.29 Piran Reckons with Rostam’s Coming
  21. B13.31 Kamus Slays Alva
  22. B14.7 Rostam Exhorts the Troops
  23. B14.14 The Khan Is Taken Prisoner
  24. B14.20 Rostam Fights Kafur the Maneater
  25. B14.23 Puladvand Battles Giv and Tus
  26. B14.24 Rostam Battles Puladvand
  27. B14.25 Rostam Wrestles Puladvand
  28. B14.27 Rostam’s Return to Court
  29. C1.2 Rostam Is Summoned to Fight Akvan
  30. C2.2 Irman’s People Appeal to Khosrow
  31. C2.15 Giv Brings Word to Rostam
  32. C2.20 Rostam Arms His Men
  33. C2.26 Afrasiab Comes against Rostam
  34. C2.27 The Iranians Defeat Afrasiab
  35. C3.3 Kay Khosrow Sends Gudarz against Turan
  36. C3.5 Giv’s Visit to Piran
  37. C3.6 The Armies Are Set in Array
  38. C3.9 Houman Challenges Rohham
  39. C3.10 Houman Challenges Fariborz
  40. C3.11 Houman Challenges Gudarz
  41. C3.26 The Battle of Eleven Rukhs Is Arranged
  42. C3.28 Gudarz and Piran Choose the Warriors
  43. C3.33 Rohham Battles Barman
  44. C3.40 Gudarz Returns from Battle
  45. C4.2 Kay Khosrow Musters against Afrasiab
  46. C4.8 Kay Khosrow Battles Shideh
  47. C4.9 Khosrow Slays Shideh
  48. C4.15 Khosrow’s Second Battle with Afrasiab
  49. C4.48 The Court Is Closed to the Nobles
  50. C4.55 Kay Khosrow Gives His Last Counsel
  51. C4.64 Lohrasp Learns Kay Khosrow Has Vanished

Family

Parents
Gudarz
Siblings
Bahram, Giv, Hajir, Shidush
Volume I · Plate VIIIThe Champions of Iranthe great houses of the muster · B11.5Volume II · Plate IVThe House of Visehthe Battle of the Rukhs · C3Volume II · Plate VThe House of Keshvadthe champions of Iran · C2–C5

On the maps

B5.10–B5.11Kavus's Mazandaran Campaign and the Return to IranB11.3–B11.7The Realm Restored: Kay Khosrow’s Fronts and the Division of CommandsB13.9–B13.26The Siege of Mount Hamavan and the Gathering of the WorldB14.20Rostam Fights Kafur the ManeaterC2.20–C2.27Rostam's Merchant-Disguise Rescue to KhutanC3.6–C3.39The Battle of the Twelve RukhsC4.2–C4.14Kay Khosrow's Last Offensive and the Crossing of the Jihun

Where the name appears

Named mentions by book, from the Universe Registry, the index behind this site. Titles and epithets are not counted.
B5The Seven Labors of Rostam2B8The Tragedy of Rostam & Sohrab3B10Vengeance for Siavash and the Retrieval of Kay Khosrow1B11Kay Khosrow’s Kingship3B12Forood and the Snowstorm Campaign13B13Mount Hamavan and the Kamus Campaign25B14The Great Battle with the Khan of Chin10C1Rostam and the Div Akvan1C2The Tale of Bijan and Manijeh5C3The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs15C4The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow10

More in the Glossary and the index of characters.