Character · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

Salmسلم

SALM

Fereydoon’s eldest son, ruler of Rum and the west; a murderer of Iraj.

In the poem: First at A6.6, Fereydoon Tests His Sons; last at E6.54, Khosrow Answers with Gifts
Named: 59 times, in 41 sections
Main stories: A6 The First Kings: Fereydoon (27); C5 Lohrasp (7); E6 Khosrow Parviz (6)
Parents: Fereydoon, Shahrnaz, Arnavaz
Plates: Vol I: I, Vol I: II, Vol I: III

Genealogical plate: The Four Houses at a Glance — Volume I, Plate I: The Four Houses at a Glance. Tap to open the genealogies.

In the poem’s own words

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

A6.6

Fereydoon Tests His Sons

Fereydoon meets his returning sons disguised as a dragon. The eldest flees, the second draws his bow, and the youngest orders the beast away. The king names them Salm, Tur and Iraj accordingly, names their brides, and reads in their horoscopes a war to come.

A6.6.30
The eldest sought his safety from the maw,So Salm, from safety, is the name I draw.
A6.6.42
For Salm, fair Arezu became his bride,Her noble grace and beauty at his side.
A6.6.48
For Salm, the Archer rose in heaven’s sphere,With Jupiter its lord, auspicious, clear.

Salm named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

A6.8

Salm Grows Envious

As Fereydoon ages, Salm resents that the youngest brother has been given Iran. He sends word to Tur, who flares up at their father’s ‘fraud’, and the two brothers meet in secret to plot.

A6.8.5
Then Salm’s heart altered from its former state;His judgment bent beneath desire and hate.
A6.8.31
From Rum came Salm, from Chin came Tur, agreed,Each answering now the other’s urgent need.

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

A6.9

Salm and Tur Send a Message to Their Father

Salm and Tur send a Mobad to Fereydoon demanding that Iraj be stripped of the crown, or armies from Rum, Chin and Turan will destroy him. The envoy is awed by the old king’s palace and presence, and fearfully delivers the message.

A6.9.1
Then Salm and Tur called forth a Mobad wise,Sharp-witted, eloquent, with watchful eyes.
A6.9.4
Then Salm washed filial shame from both his eyes,And shaped the words that pride would now devise:
A6.9.41
He asked, “Do Salm and Tur, my sons, remainIn health and joy throughout their distant reign?

Salm named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

A6.11

Iraj Goes to Meet His Brothers

Fereydoon writes asking the elder brothers to receive Iraj kindly. Iraj rides to them with a few companions, and their troops are so taken with him that they whisper that he alone deserves the crown. Salm, jealous, persuades Tur that Iraj must die.

A6.11.30
From the army’s edge Salm watched the murmurs spread,And every whisper weighed upon his head.
A6.11.34
Then Salm said, “Why did all the soldiers strayIn scattered pairs when Iraj came today?

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

A6.18

Fereydoon Answers His Sons

Fereydoon rejects the plea: the murderers will meet Manuchehr only on the battlefield, and no treasure can buy a son’s blood. The envoy reports the splendor of Iran’s court, and Salm and Tur, alarmed, gather their armies and march on Iran.

A6.18.41
He knew the turning sphere, before too long,Would wrinkle its brow at Salm and Tur’s wrong.
A6.18.81
Then Tur told elder Salm, “Let peace be gone;Hide joy away; the hour of war draws on.

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

A6.23

Gharan Takes the Castle of the Alanons

Manuchehr foresees that Salm will retreat to the sea-fortress of the Alanons. Gharan goes ahead with Tur’s signet ring, poses as Tur’s envoy and is let in, then signals Shirviyeh. The fortress is stormed and burned, and its garrison slaughtered.

A6.23.1
News from the battlefield reached Salm that day,And darkness crossed his moon and dimmed its ray.
A6.23.4
Then Manuchehr considered Salm in flight:“If he turns back and quits the coming fight,

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

A6.25

Manuchehr Fights Salm and Slays Him

Salm flees to the sea but finds no ships. Manuchehr overtakes and kills him and raises his head on a spear. The leaderless army pleads that it fought under orders, and Manuchehr pardons the soldiers and sends them home.

A6.25.3
When Salm came to the sea, he found no boat,No trace of timber, nothing that could float.
A6.25.13
Still speaking, he drove hard along the track,Till narrow ground hemmed Salm and held him back.
A6.25.15
He ordered Salm’s severed head raised high,Upon a spear that reached toward the sky.

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

C5.9

Murin’s Suit for Caesar’s Daughter

Murin of Rum asks for a daughter and is told to kill the wolf of Faskun’s forest. His horoscope says an Iranian will do three great deeds, so he goes to Hishvi, who brings him to Goshtasb. Goshtasb agrees, and asks for Salm’s sword and a horse.

C5.9.49
He also springs from Salm’s imperial line;His ancestry bears every royal sign.
C5.9.50
He has the sword that Salm was known to wield,A blade renowned on many a battlefield.
C5.9.65
Goshtasb replied, “Bring Salm’s great sword to me,And bring a noble steed of high degree.