Character · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II

Shidushشیدوش

shee-DOOSH

Son of Gudarz, an Iranian champion.

In the poem: First at A6.18, Fereydoon Answers His Sons; last at C4.15, Khosrow’s Second Battle with Afrasiab
Named: 22 times, in 18 sections
Main stories: B13 Mount Hamavan and the Kamus Campaign (8); C3 The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs (3); B12 Forood and the Snowstorm Campaign (2)
Parents: Gudarz
Plates: Vol I: VIII, Vol II: V

Genealogical plate: The Champions of Iran — Volume I, Plate VIII: The Champions of Iran. Tap to open the genealogies.

In the poem’s own words

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

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.

A6.18.13
At one hand Shidush, proven in the fray;Fierce Shirviyeh the lion shows the way.

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

B1.6

Nohzar’s Third Battle with Afrasiab

In the third battle Shapur falls and Nohzar retreats into the fortress of Dehestan. When Afrasiab sends Kurukhan to seize the royal women in Pars, Gharan and the chiefs slip away by night against the Shah’s wishes, and Gharan kills Barman on the road.

B1.6.48
So Shidush, Keshvad, Gharan all agreed,And made their plans with urgency and speed.

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

B5.6

Rostam Fights the Div Arzhang

Rostam storms Arzhang Div’s camp, tears off his head and scatters the Divs. Guided by Ulad, he reaches the blinded, captive Kavus, who tells him the way to the White Div’s cave and that only that Div’s blood can cure their blindness.

B5.6.26
Then Gostaham and Shidush joined the throng,While tears of joy rose up, restrained too long.

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

B6.1

Kavus Wars with Hamavaran

Kavus tours his empire from Turan and Chin to Makran, defeats the king of Barbar, receives homage at Mount Kaf and feasts with Rostam in Zabul. When Mesr and Sham rebel, he crosses the sea and defeats the allied kings; Hamavaran submits.

B6.1.59
With Gudarz, Giv and Shidush formed array,And Farhad cast restraint and fear away.

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

B8.16

Sohrab Questions Hajir on Iran’s Chiefs

From a hilltop Sohrab makes the captive Hajir name the Iranian chiefs by their tents and banners. Hajir names Kavus, Tus, Gudarz, Giv, Fariborz and Guraza, but calls the giant under the dragon banner an unknown ally from Chin, and resolves to die rather than betray Rostam.

B8.16.106
Giv, Bahram, Rohham, Shidush will remain,And none will leave my blood upon the plain.”

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

B13.9

The Second Battle of Iran and Turan

At dawn both armies deploy. Houman orders a close-quarters charge, while Tus and Gudarz, greatly outnumbered, put their trust in God. The chiefs are paired off in single combats, and Tus leads his footmen forward.

B13.9.49
Shidush, Rohham, Giv, Gostaham drew near,With Kharrad, brave Farhad, and Barzin dear.
B13.9.56
Rohham, Gudarz’s son, strode forth to fightWith Farshidvard; Shidush faced Lahhak’s might.

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

B13.10

The Turanians Use Sorcery

The sorcerer Bazoor calls down snow and bitter cold from a mountaintop, and the frozen Iranians are slaughtered. The chiefs pray, and a sage shows Rohham the sorcerer; Rohham cuts off his hand and the storm clears. Still the Iranians are routed.

B13.10.43
Rohham and Shidush guard the foremost line;Guraza foams for vengeance by design.
B13.10.54
Then Tus, Gudarz, brave Giv and Bijan came,With Shidush, Rohham, chiefs of martial fame.

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

B13.14

The Iranians Make a Night-Attack, Tus, Giv, Rohham Are Surrounded but Are Saved

Short of food, Gudarz urges a night attack. Tus, Giv and Rohham strike Piran’s camp and split his standard, but Houman surrounds them. Bijan and Gostaham ride to the rescue, and at dawn the Iranians withdraw to the mountain.

B13.14.14
One wing to brave Bijan he gave that night,One to Shidush and Kharrad for the fight.
B13.14.45
They thought of Shidush, Bijan in the fray,And Gostaham; would no one come their way?
B13.14.50
But Giv and Tus returned not from the plain;Shidush and Gostaham cried out in pain.

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

All 18 sections that name Shidush

A6.18 Fereydoon Answers His Sons
B1.6 Nohzar’s Third Battle with Afrasiab
B5.6 Rostam Fights the Div Arzhang
B6.1 Kavus Wars with Hamavaran
B8.16 Sohrab Questions Hajir on Iran’s Chiefs
B11.8 Kay Khosrow Inspects the Army
B12.4 Forood and Tokhvar Survey the Troops
B12.5 Bahram Meets Forood on the Mountain
B13.9 The Second Battle of Iran and Turan
B13.10 The Turanians Use Sorcery
B13.14 The Iranians Make a Night-Attack, Tus, Giv, Rohham Are Surrounded but Are Saved
B13.21 Gudarz Hears of Rostam’s Coming
B14.20 Rostam Fights Kafur the Maneater
B14.27 Rostam’s Return to Court
C3.3 Kay Khosrow Sends Gudarz against Turan
C3.6 The Armies Are Set in Array
C3.26 The Battle of Eleven Rukhs Is Arranged
C4.15 Khosrow’s Second Battle with Afrasiab