Character · The Shahnameh · Volume I

Shahrnazشهرناز

shahr-NAHZ

Daughter of Jamshid, taken by Zahhak and freed by Fereydoon.

In the poem: First at A5.1, The Evil Customs of Zahhak; last at A6.2, Jandal Goes to Yemen
Named: 5 times, in 4 sections
Main stories: A5 Zahhak’s Tyranny and the Uprising of Kaveh (4); A6 The First Kings: Fereydoon (1)
Parents: Jamshid
Spouses: Fereydoon
Children: Salm, Tur, Iraj
Plates: Vol I: II

Genealogical plate: The Pishdadian Kings — Volume I, Plate II: The Pishdadian Kings. Tap to open the genealogies.

In the poem’s own words

The 4 sections that name Shahrnaz most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Shahrnaz. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.

A5.1

The Evil Customs of Zahhak

Zahhak rules for a thousand years. He takes Jamshid’s two daughters, Shahrnaz and Arnavaz, and each night two young men are killed to feed his serpents. Two pious men, Armayl and Garmayl, become his cooks and save one youth in every pair, from whom the Kurds descend.

A5.1.8
One, Shahrnaz, was veiled and passing fair;Chaste Arnavaz, her sister, formed the pair.

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

A5.8

Fereydoon and the Minister of Zahhak

Zahhak’s steward Kundrav bows to the new king and serves at his feast, then rides by night to warn his master. Zahhak insists the stranger is merely a guest, until Kundrav describes what the ‘guest’ is doing with Zahhak’s wives.

A5.8.6
Shahrnaz, cypress-tall, sat at his right;Moon-faced Arnavaz shone, a beauty bright.
A5.8.40
One hand now rests on fair Shahrnaz’s cheek;One brushes Arnavaz’s lips as they speak.

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

A5.9

Fereydoon Binds Zahhak

Zahhak climbs into his palace by kamand and attacks, but Fereydoon strikes him down with the ox-headed gorz. Soroush forbids the killing. Fereydoon restores the order of warriors and craftsmen, then carries Zahhak to Mount Damavand and chains him in a bottomless cave.

A5.9.17
Below, young Fereydoon sat in his place,With Shahrnaz beside him, face to face.

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

A6.2

Jandal Goes to Yemen

When his three sons are grown, Fereydoon sends the shrewd Jandal to find three sisters as their brides. Jandal finds them at the court of Sarv, king of Yemen. Sarv dreads losing his daughters and consults his chiefs, but finds their advice useless.