Character · The Shahnameh · Volume III

Sa'adسعد

sa-AHDalso Sa’ad

Son of Wakkas, the Arab commander Umar sends against Iran, who meets Rostam in single combat.

In the poem: First at E10.2, Sa’ad Invades, and Rostam Takes the Field; last at E10.6, Yazdegard Writes to Mahwi
Named: 20 times, in 4 sections
Main stories: E10 Yazdegard (20)
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 4 sections that name Sa'ad most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Sa'ad. 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.

E10.2.1
Umar sent Sa’ad Wakkas to the fray,With troops to fight the Shah in full array.

Sa'ad named 1 time 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.

E10.3.3
He sent a runner, like the thunder’s mightAnd lightning, straight to Sa’ad in rapid flight.
E10.3.6
To Sa’ad Wakkas, who would seek a fight,And make his world grow narrow, void of light.
E10.3.36
To Sa’ad, son of Wakkas, then he rode,With Iranian nobles on the road.

Sa'ad named 9 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.

E10.4.1
Shobae Moghireh, swift as winds that blow,Returned to Sa’ad from the Iranian foe.
E10.4.5
Shobae told Sa’ad with thunder’s might;Sa’ad bade all his troops prepare to fight.
E10.4.14
Then Sa’ad’s shout and Rostam’s roar were heard,And through the shaken field the armies stirred.

Sa'ad named 8 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.
E10.6.8
Sa’ad, son of Wakkas, has no noble birth,No land, no learning, and no joy on earth.

Sa'ad named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes