Character · The Shahnameh · Volume III

Yazdegard (the last king)یزدگرد

yaz-de-GARD

The last Sasanian king, crowned in Sapandarmad on the day of Ard; he is killed at Mahwi Suri's command.

In the poem: First at E10.1, Yazdegard Ascends the Throne; last at E10.14, The Death of Mahwi of Sur
Named: 19 times, in 12 sections
Main stories: E10 Yazdegard (19)
Plates: Vol III: I, Vol III: IX

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 (the last king) most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Yazdegard (the last king). Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.

E10.1

Yazdegard Ascends the Throne

Yazdegard is crowned in Sapandarmad on the day of Ard. A weary, unnamed voice laments that the spheres spare nobody, naming Yazdegard himself; the young Shah then claims Anooshirvan’s blood and sets fame above desire. Sixteen years of peace pass.

E10.1.1
When Farrokhzad had passed from crown and throne,Then Yazdegard received it as his own.
E10.1.2
In Sapandarmad, on the day of Ard,The crown was set upon young Yazdegard.
E10.1.14
Look deeply: see what seven spheres on highDid to young Yazdegard beneath the sky.”

Yazdegard (the last king) named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E10.2

Sa’ad Invades, and Rostam Takes the Field

Umar sends Sa’ad Wakkas against Iran, and Rostam son of Ormozd takes command. At Kadisiya his astrolabe tells him the war is lost. He writes to his brother foretelling his own death, the fall of the House of Sasan, and four centuries in which nothing of his people will count.

E10.2.2
When Yazdegard heard what the foe had done,He gathered troops from every side as one.
E10.2.52
Our Fortune now is narrowed; nevermoreWill Yazdegard behold me at his door.

Yazdegard (the last king) named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E10.3

Rostam and Sa’ad Exchange Letters

Rostam writes mocking Sa’ad’s poverty and cataloguing the Shah’s wealth; Sa’ad answers with the Oneness of God, the Koran and Paradise, and offers the crown for conversion. The envoy Shobae Moghireh sits in the dust, and Rostam sends back word that honorable death is better.

E10.3.55
Yazdegard’s person and this spacious earth,Its gardens, riding grounds, and palace mirth,

Yazdegard (the last king) named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E10.4

Rostam Battles Sa’ad and Is Slain

The armies fight three days in dust and thirst. Rostam and Sa’ad leave the ranks and meet alone; Rostam brings down Sa’ad’s horse, but a blow to the helm blinds him with his own blood and he is killed. The Iranians break and flee to the Shah.

E10.4.32
At Baghdad Yazdegard was staying then;Around him gathered all the fleeing men.

Yazdegard (the last king) named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E10.5

Yazdegard Withdraws to Khorasan

Farrokhzad urges the Shah to rebuild his strength in Tabaristan. Yazdegard refuses to abandon his people, then chooses Khorasan, counting on the Turks, a marriage into Faghfoor’s house, and Mahwi of Marv, whom he raised from nothing. Farrokhzad warns that base stock never changes.

E10.5.4
He said to Yazdegard, “Why weep this way?Will tears preserve the crown from dark decay?

Yazdegard (the last king) named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E10.9

Yazdegard Hides in the Mill

Mahwi brings Turkish troops from Samarkand against his own Shah and flees the field, leaving him ringed. Yazdegard fights, escapes, and hides in a mill beside the Zark. The miller offers barley bread and cress; the king asks for barsom, and the errand betrays him.

E10.9.20
The shouts arose; at dawn a horseman came,And spoke to Yazdegard in Mahwi’s name:
E10.9.64
Mahwi had sent men searching every side,To find the place where Yazdegard might hide.

Yazdegard (the last king) named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E10.11

The Death of Yazdegard

The miller comes back weeping and stabs Yazdegard among the barley loaves. Mahwi’s riders strip the body and throw it into the Zark. Christian monks draw it from the water, build a garden tomb, and mourn the king in a long sequence of speeches.

E10.11.22
The seven spheres, grown weary, now discardTheir guiltless ward: thus dies King Yazdegard.
E10.11.35
As daylight came and people filled the way,Two noble men approached where Yazdegard lay.

Yazdegard (the last king) named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E10.12

Mahwi of Sur Takes the Throne

Ferdowsi breaks off to curse a hailstorm that has ruined his own year, then returns. Mahwi kills the mourners and plunders the land, invents a story that the dying Shah gave him crown and signet, and seizes Khorasan; his captains know the tale is false.

E10.12.22
The name of Yazdegard is on the seal;They will not bow before my sword of steel.
E10.12.56
By Yazdegard’s command we seek this fight,Who ruled the seven spheres in royal might.

Yazdegard (the last king) named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

All 12 sections that name Yazdegard (the last king)