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Horse · The Shahnameh · Volume II

Shulakشولک

shoo-LAK

A horse ridden by Goshtasb and later by Esfandiyar.

In the poem
First at C6.19, The Turks Ask Mercy of Esfandiyar; last at C7.4, The Dragon of the Third Stage
Named
2 times, in 2 sections
Main stories
C6 Goshtasb, Zardosht, and the War with Arjasp (1); C7 Esfandiyar’s Seven Stages and the Ruyin Dezh (1)
Pictures
8 panels · identity sheets

How we draw Shulak

The identity sheet the illustrator works from. Tap to open full size. More in the Art section.
Shulak, identity sheet: Mature war-horse
Mature war-horse

In the pictures

Shulak in 8 woodcut panels of the illustrated poem, in story order. Tap one to see it with the couplets it illustrates.
Esfandiyar Shoots the Horned WolvesC7.2Esfandiyar Shoots the Horned WolvesThe Witch Comes as a MaidenC7.5The Witch Comes as a MaidenFirst Sight of the Iron FortressC7.8First Sight of the Iron FortressRostam and Esfandiyar Embrace at the HirmundC8.11Rostam and Esfandiyar Embrace at the HirmundThe Struggle for the BeltC8.21The Struggle for the BeltThe Tamarisk Arrow StrikesC8.27The Tamarisk Arrow StrikesThe Funeral Train Leaves ZabulC8.29The Funeral Train Leaves ZabulThe Women Mourn at the Black SteedC8.29The Women Mourn at the Black Steed

In the poem’s own words

The 2 sections that name Shulak most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Shulak. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.
C6.19

The Turks Ask Mercy of Esfandiyar

The Turkish chiefs strip their armor and beg for their lives, offering to accept the Faith. Esfandiyar calls off the slaughter and forbids chaining captives. Goshtasb weeps over the field, coffins Zarir and his kin, and has the dead of both armies counted.

  • C6.19.22
    He tore apart the royal robe he wore,Dismounted from Shulak and grieved still more.
Shulak named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C7.4

The Dragon of the Third Stage

Warned of a dragon whose breath draws fish from the sea, Esfandiyar has a wheeled box built and hung about with swords. The dragon swallows cart and horses, is pinned on the blades, and he hacks it dead, fainting in its venomous fumes.

  • C7.4.20
    The moon in Aries showed her crown of light;Esfandiyar rode Shulak through the night.
Shulak named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

Where it appears

Named mentions by book, from the Universe Registry, the index behind this site. Titles and epithets are not counted.
C6Goshtasb, Zardosht, and the War with Arjasp1C7Esfandiyar’s Seven Stages and the Ruyin Dezh1

More in the Glossary, all the characters and the Art.