Character · The Shahnameh · Volume III

Yazdegard (son of Shapur)یزدگرد

yaz-de-GARD

Father of Bahram Goor, a harsh king who rules by terror and is killed by a horse that rises from the spring of Sav.

In the poem: First at D8.4, The Reign of Bahram, Son of Shapur; last at D9.12, Bahram Goor Claims His Right to Rule
Named: 16 times, in 8 sections
Main stories: D9 Yazdegard I and the Rise of Bahram Goor (14); D8 The Shapur Zul-Aktaf Cycle and Later Early Sasanian Reigns (2)
Parents: Shapur (son of Shapur)
Children: Bahram Goor
Plates: Vol III: I, Vol III: IV, Vol III: V

Genealogical plate: The Sasanian Succession — Volume III, Plate I: The Sasanian Succession. Tap to open the genealogies.

In the poem’s own words

The 8 sections that name Yazdegard (son of Shapur) most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Yazdegard (son of Shapur). Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.

D8.4

The Reign of Bahram, Son of Shapur

Bahram mourns his father, takes the throne, and preaches open-handed giving, knowledge that never runs out, and trust in God. After fourteen years he sickens. Having a daughter but no son, he gives troops, treasure, crown and signet to his young brother Yazdegard, and dies.

D8.4.22
They called him Yazdegard, a royal name;An honored youth, intent on winning fame.
D8.4.23
He bade young Yazdegard come to his side,And all the men assemble far and wide.

Yazdegard (son of Shapur) named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

D9.1

Yazdegard Assumes the Throne

Yazdegard is crowned, glad of his brother’s death, and promises justice while threatening the insolent. Once secure he scorns the sages, drops the old ways, answers no petitions and rules by terror. His ministers keep the state of the realm from him and turn suppliants away.

D9.1.1
When Yazdegard was crowned, his heart grew proud;He called the soldiers round him in a crowd.

Yazdegard (son of Shapur) named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

D9.2

Bahram Goor Is Born and Raised by an Arab

In Yazdegard’s eighth year Bahram is born under happy stars, and the astrologers foretell that the seven climes will bow to him. Fearing the father’s nature, the Mobadan urge fostering him abroad. Yazdegard gives him to Monzer, who has him nursed, schooled and horsed.

D9.2.1
When seven years of Yazdegard had passed,Oppressed, the Mobadan stood pale, aghast.
D9.2.51
When Yazdegard had heard what Monzer said,He weighed the matter deeply in his head.
D9.2.55
From Yazdegard’s high court toward the plainWent camels, horses, litters in a train.

Yazdegard (son of Shapur) named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

D9.4

Bahram Shows His Strength to Monzer

Monzer gathers Arab notables to judge Bahram’s prowess. Bahram rides down ostriches and plants four arrows so evenly that no hair divides the shafts. Monzer sends to Yemen for painters, has the feat worked on silk, and dispatches the picture to Yazdegard.

D9.4.20
Monzer dispatched a rider to the king,To Yazdegard, that painted silk to bring.

Yazdegard (son of Shapur) named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

D9.6

Yazdegard Jails Bahram, but He Escapes

Caught dozing after a day’s service, Bahram is stripped of cap and girdle and confined a year. He persuades Caesar’s envoy Taynush to obtain his release and rides back to Yemen. Yazdegard’s star-readers then foretell his death near Tus, at the spring of Sav.

D9.6.31
Then Yazdegard’s own grief and joy drew nearTheir end; his star grew dark, his fate severe.
D9.6.32
Now Yazdegard, in fear about his reign,Called Mobadan from all his wide domain.

Yazdegard (son of Shapur) named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

D9.7

Yazdegard Is Killed by a Water-Horse

A Mobad sends the bleeding king in a litter to pray at the spring of Sav. The bleeding stops and Yazdegard claims the cure as his own. A white horse rises from the water, stands quietly to be saddled, then kills him with one kick and vanishes into the spring.

D9.7.18
Then Yazdegard commanded all his band,“Surround this horse and bring it to my hand.”
D9.7.31
When Yazdegard was slain, the water-horseFlew like the dust and hastened to its source.

Yazdegard (son of Shapur) named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

D9.8

The Iranians Place Khosrow on the Throne

The chiefs bury Yazdegard and swear that none of his blood shall reign. Gashasp the scribe denounces the dead king; frontier lords claim the crown and the realm falls into tumult. The council in Pars looks for a just and generous man and crowns Khosrow, an aged noble.

D9.8.7
All those whom Yazdegard had cast in shameNow gathered in the city, men of name.
D9.8.16
No man of Yazdegard’s own blood shall takeThe crown and throne, for Iran’s future sake.”
D9.8.18
Then news of Yazdegard’s grim death spread wide,Among the chiefs on every distant side.

Yazdegard (son of Shapur) named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

D9.12

Bahram Goor Claims His Right to Rule

Bahram argues his hereditary right and is refused. The chiefs parade men mutilated by his father; Bahram curses his father’s dust, sets out the justice he intends, and proposes an ordeal, the crown between two chained lions. The lions are brought and chained to the ivory throne.

D9.12.23
The chiefs then summoned men whose bodies boreThe wounds of Yazdegard’s harsh rule before.
D9.12.24
They gathered those whom Yazdegard had scarred,And brought them forward for the chiefs’ regard.

Yazdegard (son of Shapur) named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes