Character · The Shahnameh · Volumes II, III

Sasanساسان

sah-SAHN

Son of Bahman, who goes into exile when Bahman leaves the crown to Homay's unborn child. His descendants, all named Sasan, live as shepherds until the last, Babak's son-in-law, fathers Ardeshir and gives his name to the Sasanian house.

In the poem: First at D1.5, Bahman Marries His Daughter Homahyi; last at E10.10, The Plot against Yazdegard
Named: 37 times, in 17 sections (including 4 where the name may belong to Sasan the younger, Sasan (who flees to Hindustan), Sasan (the fourth))
Main stories: D6 The Ashkanian Dynasty (14); E6 Khosrow Parviz (9); D1 The Reign of Bahman, Son of Esfandiyar (4)
Parents: Bahman
Children: Sasan the younger
Plates: Vol II: IX, Vol III: II

Genealogical plate: From Bahman to Iskandar — Volume II, Plate IX: From Bahman to Iskandar. Tap to open the genealogies.

In the poem’s own words

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

D1.5

Bahman Marries His Daughter Homahyi

Bahman has a son, Sasan, and a daughter, Homahyi, whom he takes as his wife. Falling ill, he leaves the crown to her and to her unborn child. Sasan flees to Nishapur in shame; his son and namesake grows up there herding the king’s flocks.

D1.5.1
King Bahman had a son, a lion in might;He named him Sasan, dauntless in the fight.
D1.5.13
When young Sasan had heard what Bahman said,The world grew dark, and hope within him fled.
D1.5.18
His virtuous wife then bore a noble child,Of Bahman’s line, through Sasan, now exiled.

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

D6.3

Babak Dreams of Sasan, Descendant of Dara

A descendant of Dara, the fourth Sasan, herds Babak’s flocks. Babak dreams of him riding an elephant, then of three fires blazing before him; the interpreters promise kingship to him or his son. Babak learns his lineage, raises him up, and gives him his daughter.

D6.3.5
His son was blessed with joy and noble name,Wise, brave Sasan, of royal stock and fame.
D6.3.9
Each father gave his son the selfsame name;Down to the fourth, Sasan remained the same.
D6.3.17
He saw Sasan, an Indian sword in hand,Ride a fierce elephant, majestic, grand.

Sasan named 11 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

D6.7

Ardavan Writes to His Son to Capture Ardeshir

Ardavan orders his son Bahman to hunt Ardeshir down in secret. Ardeshir reaches the water, is recognized as Kayanian by the old boatman, and gathers the scattered kin of Babak and Dara. He claims the throne as Esfandiyar’s heir, founds a city, and rides for Istakhr.

D6.7.29
We sons of Sasan gird ourselves to fight,To claim the vengeance that is ours by right.

Sasan named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

D6.8

Tabak Helps Ardeshir and Defeats Bahman

Tabak of Jahram deserts Ardavan and brings his troops and seven sons over. Ardeshir distrusts him until he swears on the Avesta and Zand, then makes him chief among his counselors. After prayer at a fire, Ardeshir routs Bahman, takes Istakhr, and shares out Babak’s wealth.

D6.8.6
He kissed his feet and spoke of Sasan’s fame,Recalling much about that royal name.

Sasan named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

D6.15

Ardeshir Discovers the Truth about the Worm

In flight, Ardeshir is sheltered by two young men who tell him the Worm is Ahriman’s creature and cannot be beaten by force. He kills Mehrak, leaves Shahrgeer in command, enters the fortress as a merchant, drinks the keepers senseless, and feeds the Worm molten metal.

D6.15.26
“I am Ardeshir; Sasan’s son am I.I need your counsel; give me your reply.

Sasan named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E6.5

Khosrow and Bahram Parley

Across the Nahravan the king and the rebel abuse and argue with each other at length. Khosrow offers him command of Iran; Bahram offers a gibbet. They dispute whether kingship comes by blood, merit or conquest, trading precedents from Ardeshir to Rostam, until Khosrow laughs and turns back.

E6.5.182
Five hundred years of Sasan’s rule are spent,And cold now grow the heads of that descent.
E6.5.186
I will abolish all Sasanians’ fame,And scrape from every roll the Sasan name.
E6.5.275
Did Babak not bid Sasan take his crook,To tend his ewes beside the mountain brook?”

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

E6.37

Bahram Falls by Kharrad’s Design

Kharrad arms Kulun with a knife and the Khan’s seal, stolen in clay by the queen. At Marv, on the unlucky Bahram day, Kulun stabs Bahram and keeps silent under torture. Bahram counsels his sister, bequeaths his army to Yalan-sina, repents, and dies.

E6.37.87
Should but one daughter live of Sasan’s line,The land would serve her crown with light divine.
E6.37.88
All Iran’s towns would answer her command,Nor turn from Sasan’s seed throughout the land.

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

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.

E10.2.20
I wept for Iran’s people, grief on grief;And burned for Sasan’s House beyond relief.
E10.2.60
He is the House of Sasan’s final trace;No eye will see another of that race.

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

All 17 sections that name Sasan