Character · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

Tahmurasطهمورث

tah-moo-RAS

An early king of Iran, after Kioumars and Hushang, remembered for his just customs and wisdom.

In the poem: First at A3.1, The Reign of Tahmuras; last at E8.2, Khosrow Parviz Answers Shiruyeh
Named: 17 times, in 14 sections
Main stories: A3 The First Kings: Tahmuras (4); E6 Khosrow Parviz (3); C2 The Tale of Bijan and Manijeh (2)
Parents: Hushang
Children: Jamshid
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 8 sections that name Tahmuras most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Tahmuras. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.

A3.1

The Reign of Tahmuras

Tahmuras spins wool, weaves cloth, and tames horses, hawks and fowl. Guided by his vizier Shidasp, he binds Ahriman and rides him like a horse, defeats the rebel Divs, and spares them in return for the art of writing in some thirty scripts.

A3.1.1
Hushang begot a son of noble frame,Tahmuras, the Div-binder, was his name.
A3.1.24
He taught the king all virtue to embrace,Till farr divine shone from Tahmuras’ face.
A3.1.29
When Tahmuras perceived their mustering swarm,His anger flared; he armed against the storm.

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

A4.1

The Greatness and Fall of Jamshid

Jamshid forges arms, weaves cloth, orders society into four classes, sets the Divs to building, and flies through the air on a jeweled throne on the first Nowruz. After three centuries without death, pride leads him to claim he is the World-Creator, and his farr departs.

A4.1.1
Jamshid, the son of Tahmuras the wise,Took up the crown that reached toward the skies.

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

A5.4

Fereydoon Questions His Mother

At sixteen, Fereydoon comes down from Alborz and asks his mother who he is. She tells him of his father’s murder and the killing of Barmayeh. He burns for vengeance, but she warns him that Zahhak is still too strong.

A5.4.7
From Tahmuras his noble bloodline came;A warrior wise, gentle, free from blame.

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

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.

A6.18.66
Manuchehr, tall as cypress, sat upright,Like Tahmuras, who bound the Divs in might.

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

B8.19

Rostam and Sohrab Leave the Field

Each hero returns to his camp. Sohrab boasts to Houman, and Giv tells Rostam how Sohrab routed Tus. Rostam tells Kavus he could not unseat the youth, and Kavus prays for him. Rostam tells Zavareh that if he dies the army must go home.

B8.19.77
Remember lofty Jamshid’s royal height,And Tahmuras, who bound the Divs in might.

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

C2.3

Bijan Goes to Fight the Wild Boars

Bijan and Gorgin ride toward the forest, hunting with cheetahs and hawks along the way. Gorgin refuses any part in the fight, so Bijan goes in alone, kills the boars with his khanjar, and loads their heads and tusks to carry before the Shah.

C2.3.6
His kamand ringed the Gur-e-Khars in flight,Like Tahmuras binding Divs in royal might.

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

C2.21

Rostam Goes to Khutan to Piran

Rostam leaves the army at the border, puts his seven chiefs into merchant dress and enters Khutan. Meeting Piran after the hunt, he presents a cup of gems and two horses, claims to be a trader from Iran, and is granted protection and a house that becomes a market.

C2.21.17
With clanging bells and cries, the sound was borneAs though it came from Tahmuras’ great horn.

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

C3.49

Bijan Returns with Gostaham

The lookout reports three burdened horses. Bijan brings in the dead brothers and the dying Gostaham, who asks only to see the Shah. Khosrow binds on him an amulet inherited from the first kings; after two weeks he recovers. The Shah then summons his armies against Afrasiab.