Character · The Shahnameh · Volume III

Rostam (Hormizd’s son)رستم

ros-TAM

Rostam son of Ormozd, Yazdegard's commander against the Arabs, killed at Kadisiya by Sa'ad son of Wakkas.

In the poem: First at E10.2, Sa’ad Invades, and Rostam Takes the Field; last at E10.10, The Plot against Yazdegard
Named: 19 times, in 6 sections
Main stories: E10 Yazdegard (19)
Plates: Vol III: IX

Genealogical plate: The Last Reigns and the Fall — Volume III, Plate IX: The Last Reigns and the Fall. Tap to open the genealogies.

In the poem’s own words

The 6 sections that name Rostam (Hormizd’s son) most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Rostam (Hormizd’s son). Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.

E10.2

Sa’ad Invades, and Rostam Takes the Field

Umar sends Sa’ad Wakkas against Iran, and Rostam son of Ormozd takes command. At Kadisiya his astrolabe tells him the war is lost. He writes to his brother foretelling his own death, the fall of the House of Sasan, and four centuries in which nothing of his people will count.

E10.2.3
Then Ormozd’s son received the full command;His name was Rostam, famed throughout the land.
E10.2.7
At Kadisiya they pursued the fight,But Rostam read the heavens’ altered light.

Rostam (Hormizd’s son) named 2 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.

E10.3.5
“From Rostam, Ormozd’s son, who wishes well,The world’s great Pahlevan, these words I tell.
E10.3.44
Then Pirooz placed the letter in his hand,And spoke the words that Rostam for him planned.
E10.3.63
Then Shobae Moghireh said, “Let me be sentTo Rostam.” On that embassy he went.

Rostam (Hormizd’s son) named 6 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E10.4

Rostam Battles Sa’ad and Is Slain

The armies fight three days in dust and thirst. Rostam and Sa’ad leave the ranks and meet alone; Rostam brings down Sa’ad’s horse, but a blow to the helm blinds him with his own blood and he is killed. The Iranians break and flee to the Shah.

E10.4.2
And Rostam called his forces to array.The horns rang out to send them to the fray.
E10.4.11
Rostam’s lips dried like dust upon the plain,His tongue was split with thirst and bitter pain.
E10.4.13
Then Rostam looked across the field ahead,And saw the leaders of his army dead.

Rostam (Hormizd’s son) named 7 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E10.6

Yazdegard Writes to Mahwi

The Shah dictates a letter to Mahwi Suri, warden of Marv: Rostam is dead by Sa’ad’s hand, the enemy stands at the gate of Tisfoon, and Mahwi must gather his army for battle. The Shah adds that he is riding after the letter himself.

E10.6.7
For Rostam died upon the battlefield,By Sa’ad’s hand, and sorrow will not yield.

Rostam (Hormizd’s son) named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E10.8

Mahwi Meets Yazdegard at Tus

Mahwi meets the Shah on the road with every show of reverence, kissing the ground. Farrokhzad entrusts the king to him and rides for Rey. As the days pass Mahwi’s loyalty ebbs, the shepherd’s son begins to want the throne, and he withdraws, feigning sickness.

E10.8.14
No horseman in the world matched Rostam’s name;No sage had heard of one with equal fame.

Rostam (Hormizd’s son) named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E10.10

The Plot against Yazdegard

Mahwi orders the miller to kill his guest. The Mobadan and nobles denounce him in turn — Radwi, Ormozd son of Kharrad, Shahruy, and Mehr-e-Nush, who recites seven murdered kings and the vengeance each brought. Mahwi listens until nightfall, then asks his son, who tells him to strike.

E10.10.49
The fifth recalls Esfandiyar, laid lowBy Rostam’s hand, which dealt the fatal blow.
E10.10.50
Revenge then came to Rostam and his land;Nimruz, in turn, was struck by vengeance’s hand.

Rostam (Hormizd’s son) named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes