Shapur (son of Ardeshir)شاپور

The Daughter of Ardavan Bears a Son🤫👶🏑🤗

The hidden queen bears Shapur, raised in secret for seven years. Grieving that he has no heir, Ardeshir is told the truth and picks his son out of a hundred matched boys at polo. He showers Shapur with gems, pardons the mother, and honors the minister on his coins.

• D7.3.3
  He named the child Shapur, concealed him well,And barred his door to guests, lest they should tell.
• D7.3.32
  Your Shapur now is seven years of age,Yet fit to be your minister and sage.
• D7.3.34
  In love I named him Shapur; may the skiesRejoice to see your happy fortune rise.

Ardeshir Writes to Kayd of Hind📨🔮👪🔎

Never free of war, Ardeshir sends an envoy to the Indian sage Kayd. Kayd reads the stars and answers that peace will come only when Ardeshir’s line is joined with Mehrak’s. Enraged, Ardeshir orders a hunt for Mehrak’s one surviving daughter, who is hidden in a village.

• D7.4.1
  Shapur grew cypress-tall beside the king;They feared the harm an evil eye might bring.

Shapur and the Daughter of Mehrak👧🪣🧬💍

Hunting, Shapur stops at a village where a girl offers to draw sweet water for his horse. When a servant cannot raise the bucket she had raised alone, Shapur guesses her descent. She admits she is Mehrak’s daughter; he promises her safety and marries her by the fire rite.

• D7.5.1
  Now hear of Mehrak’s daughter in my song,And sword-bearing Shapur, bold and strong.
• D7.5.3
  The Shah went out to hunt at dawn one day,With wise Shapur beside him on the way.
• D7.5.6
  Shapur rode to the village, where he foundThe chief’s great house and stepped down to the ground.

The Daughter of Mehrak Bears a Son🏑🏃👀🔮

She bears Hormizd, kept hidden for seven years. The boy slips out to the polo field and carries the ball off in front of Ardeshir, who questions him and learns the truth. Ardeshir accepts him gladly, crowns him with gold, and tells the nobles Kayd’s prophecy is fulfilled.

• D7.6.5
  Shapur named him Hormizd; the boy stood tall,A cypress where the plants beneath were small.
• D7.6.8
  For seven days the King went hunting game,And wise Shapur went with him, bent on the same.
• D7.6.25
  I am Shapur’s own son, and he is yours;Through Mehrak’s daughter too my blood endures.”

Ardeshir’s Last Message to Shapur🤒👨‍👦🛕⚰️

At seventy-eight and failing, Ardeshir charges Shapur: faith and kingship are twin brothers, treasure and anger are traps, slander and confidences are to be shunned. He foretells that his house will break the covenant and fall, lists the six cities he founded, and dies.

• D7.10.3
  He summoned Shapur, gave him counsel deep,A charge for royal memory to keep.

Shapur, Son of Ardeshir👑🪑⚔️🌉

Hormizd, Son of Shapur👑🐺🐑💀