Character · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II

Zadeshmزادشم

zahd-SHAM

Father of Pashang and grandfather of Afrasiab.

In the poem: First at B1.2, Pashang Hears of Manuchehr’s Death; last at C4.19, Afrasiab Sends Jahan to Khosrow
Named: 10 times, in 7 sections
Main stories: B1 The Crisis after Manuchehr (4); C4 The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow (4); B2 Garshasp and the Transition to Kayanian Kingship (1)
Children: Pashang of Turan
Plates: Vol I: III, Vol I: VI

Genealogical plate: Fereydoon and the Division of the World — Volume I, Plate III: Fereydoon and the Division of the World. Tap to open the genealogies.

In the poem’s own words

The 7 sections that name Zadeshm most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Zadeshm. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.

B1.2

Pashang Hears of Manuchehr’s Death

Hearing that Manuchehr is dead and Nohzar’s rule is faltering, Pashang of Turan resolves to avenge Tur and Salm. He summons his son Afrasiab, who eagerly takes command, although his brother Aghriras counsels caution.

B1.2.4
He thought of Zadeshm, his father of old,And sighed for Tur, whose vengeance still lay cold.
B1.2.18
Had Zadeshm raised his sword when young and strong,He had not left the world in shame and wrong.
B1.2.20
What Zadeshm left half-finished, I will bear:Revenge, and war, and kimiya, I dare.

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

B2.1

Afrasiab Invades after Garshasp’s Death

Zav’s son Garshasp reigns briefly and dies. Pashang, still estranged from Afrasiab over Aghriras, orders him to invade again. The Iranians turn to Zal, who is too old to fight and offers instead his young son Rostam, arming him with Sahm’s ancestral gorz.

B2.1.42
I will ask him to gird himself and wageHis war on Zadeshm’s seed with vengeful rage.”

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

B9.59

Kay Khosrow Comes before Afrasiab

Afrasiab, uneasy, asks to see the boy. Piran makes him swear not to harm Kay Khosrow, then coaches the youth to play the fool. Kay Khosrow answers every question with nonsense, Afrasiab laughs, judges him harmless, and sends him to his mother in Siavash-Gard.

B9.59.21
Your grandfather Zadeshm swore, God on high,Who set Mars, Saturn, Sun within the sky.”

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

C4.2

Kay Khosrow Musters against Afrasiab

With Piran dead, Kay Khosrow calls up the whole realm against Afrasiab. He gives Rostam, Gudarz and Tus three roads to watch, summons every province by letter, and sets out his order of battle: wings, elephants, crossbowmen, spearmen and reserves.

C4.2.89
Of Jamshid’s and Fereydoon’s royal stem,They grieved for what Zadeshm’s line wrought on them.

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

C4.6

Afrasiab Sends Envoys to Khosrow

Afrasiab sends Shideh with terms: kinship, all his treasure and withdrawal from Iranian land, or else combat between the kings, or with Shideh, or three days of escalating battle. Turkish outriders attack Iran’s pickets before Shideh can stop them, and Gharan comes out to hear the message.

C4.6.26
The horses and the arms of every kind,And all the treasures Zadeshm left behind,

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

C4.10

The Armies Meet in Battle

The armies join. Gharan wears down Jahan, Gostaham drives on the right, and days of slaughter follow. Afrasiab spreads his ranks to get clear of the towered elephants. Khosrow prays behind his lines, kills Ila and unhorses Ustukila, and Afrasiab is pulled away at dusk.

C4.10.23
Then grief and vengeance set his heart aflame,His hatred fixed on those of Zadeshm’s name.

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

C4.19

Afrasiab Sends Jahan to Khosrow

Jahan comes out of the fortress as envoy and is received with honor. Afrasiab’s message praises Khosrow, blames the Div for Siavash’s murder, laments the ruined cities, warns of winter and of fresh armies, offers all his treasure for peace, and threatens to vanish beyond Kimak.